VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 



NOTES ON 

DISEASES OF CATTLE 

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 



CHARLES J. KORINEK, V. S. 

Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, in affiliation with 
the University of Toronto, Canada. Hon. Member of the On- 
tario Veterinary Medical Society. Ex. State Veterinarian for 
Oregon. Ex. President of the Oregon State Veterinary Medical 
Board of Examiners. Author of "The Veterinarian". Princi- 
pal of the Veterinary Science Association of America. Sixteen 
years of Practical Experience as a Veterinary Surgeon. 




PUBUSHED BY THE 

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA y 



VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 



x 



NOTES ON 

DISEASES OF CATTLE 

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 



CHARLES J. KORINEK, V. S. 

1 

Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, in affiliation with 
the University of Toronto, Canada. Hon. Member of the On- 
tario Veterinary Medical Society. Ex. State Veterinarian for 
Oregon. Ex. President of the Oregon State Veterinary Medical 
Board of Examiners. Author of "The Veterinarian". Princi- 
pal of the Veterinary Science Association of America. Sixteen 
years of Practical Experience as a Veterinary Surgeon. 




PUBLISHED BY THE 

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 






COPYRIGHT 1917 

by the 

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 

OF AMERICA 



4-^ 

©CI.A453711 

JAN 22 19)7 



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DISEASES OF 

CATTLE 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND 
TREATMENT 







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Location of Parts of Dairy Cow 



1. Mouth. 

2. Nostrils. 

3. Muzzle. 

4. Face. 

5. Eyes. 

6. Forehead. 

7. Ears. 

8. Poll. 

9. Horns. 

10. Jaws. 

11. Dewlap. 

12. Brisket. 

13. Neck. 

14. Withers. 

15. Crops. 

16. Shoulders. 

17. Heart girth. 

18. Fore flank. 

19. Legs. 

20. Feet. 



21. Dew claws. 

22. Belly. 

23. Milk wells. 

24. Milk veins. 

25. Fore udder. 

26. Teats. 

27. Barrel or ribs. 

28. Back. 

29. Coupling. 

30. Rear flanks. 

31. Hook points. 

32. Tail-head. 

33. Pin bones or thurls. 

34. Rump. 

35. Escutcheon. 

36. Tail. 

37. Thighs. 

38. Rear udder. 

39. Switch. 



PREFACE 

In offering this work to the consideration of Stu- 
dents of Veterinary Science, as well as to the Veterinary- 
Profession and others who are interested in the study 
and advancement of Veterinary Science, I feel it will 
suffice to say that I have endeavored to the best of my 
ability to render the matter contained in the following 
pages of as great practical value as possible, to present 
in the most plain and concise manner the nature, cause, 
symptoms and treatment of each disease in the form 
in which it most frequently occurs. 

I wish to express a hope that this work will be fav- 
orably welcomed by all into whose hands it may find 
its way, more particularly by Students of Veterinarj'^ 
Science. 

Charles J. Korinek, V. S. 



ABSCESSES. 

Cause. — Bruises and injuries. They are also seen in 
complication with various other diseases, as Laryngitis, 
Phaiyngitis, Tuberculosis, Lump Jaw, Blood Poison or 
Pyemia and Septicemia. 

Symptoms. — Symptoms will vary according to the 
nature of the disease or injury. It may not be noticed at 
first, but upon careful examination swollen lines will be 
observed running from the point of swelling. In many 
cases a swelling is noticed which is hot, painful and 
throbbing, which enlarges rapidly in two or three days. 
The swelling and . heat gradually disappear, but the 
Abscess continues to grow. The hair falls from the 
point of swelling and in a short time breaks and dis- 
charges pus. The cavity gradually fills up and heals 
by granulation. 

Treatment. — In all cases hasten the ripening pro- 
cess as much as possible by applying hot water packs or 
hot bran, flaxseed or vegetable poultices. When opened, 
do not squeeze the Abscess to any extent, but press gent- 
ly with clean hands or cloth to remove the core or clot. 
After this, just simply keep the Abscess open by wash- 
ing with a three per cent Carbolic Acid solution, or 
Bichloride of Mercury, one in one thousand solution. 
Hyposulphite of Soda in ounce doses should be given two 
or three times a day in their drinking water. This will 
prevent the absorption of impurities from the abscess 
into the blood circulation. 



DISEASES OF CATTLE 

ABORTION. 

( Non- Contagious ) 

Cause. — Injuries from slipping or falling on icy 
roads, in box cars, and deep gutters; receiving blows 
on the body, keeping the animal in insanitary stables, 
eating poor food that may be irritating or poisonous, 
etc. In such cases, the cow's vitality is low so that the 
foetus dies and is expelled as a result. Losing large 
quantities of blood also produces Abortion, or a cow 
heavy with calf, on being placed in the same quarters 
with the cows that retain their afterbirth, is liable to 
abort. Intestinal worms, lung worms, liver flukes, caus- 
ing an excessive drain upon the system or producing 
irritation of the digestive organs, in consequence of 
which cow gets very poor and emaciated. The above 
mentioned are perhaps the most common causes of "Non- 
Contagious Abortion." 

Symptoms. — The cow is uneasy, becomes separated 
from the herd, the bag and vagina may be slightly in- 
flamed and perhaps the latter discharging. If a cow 
heavy with calf craves the chewing and eating of dirt, 
rags, nails, etc., this is a sign of a lack of iron or phos- 
phorus in her system and food containing these elements 
should be provided. 

Preventive Treatment. — Provide clean, warm, 
comfortable quarters, good food, pure water to drink, do 
not subject her to any injuries, do not permit her com- 
ing in contact with cows retaining their afterbirth. 

The above mentioned is very important, especially if 
the cows are valuable and a large yield of milk is ex- 
pected. If they have worms, treat the same as under 
their special heading. If they have a loss of blood or 
a lack of mineral matter in their system, the following 
is very efficient: Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces; 
Pulv. Nux Vomica, two ounces ; Pulv. Fenugreek Seed, 
four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen powders. Give 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT V 

one powder two or three times a day in feed or place in 
a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 

AMOUROSIS OF THE EYE. 

Cause. — Paralysis of the optic nerve. 

Symptoms. — Pupil fully dilated and of a glassy ap- 
pearance. This condition is sometimes called "Glass 
Eye." The cow carries the head high and steps high. 
This condition is verj^ uncommon in cattle. 

Treatment. — Nothing can be done for a cow if she 
is blind, but this condition may be prevented if detected 
in its early stages of development by the proper feeding 
of nourishing food, good clean surroundings and the ad- 
ministration of nerve tonics, as Pulv. Nux Vomica, four 
ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Potassium 
Iodide, three ounces. Make into twenty-four powders 
and place one powder in feed two or three times daily; 
or make into twenty-four capsules and give one capsule 
two or three times a day with capsule gun. 

ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax is a very contagious disease and is com- 
municable to all warm blooded animals and man. 

Cause. — Due to the presence of a germ called the 
Bacillus of Anthrax and is one of the oldest diseases 
attributed to germs. These Bacilli thrive in warm 
climates, although found in cold countries. The infec- 
tion is carried to various parts of the world by box-cars, 
ships, hides, hoofs, horns, wool and hair taken from sick 
or dead animals affected with Anthrax. This, perhaps, 
is the most common method of spreading the disease. 

Symptoms. — Loss of appetite, grinding of teeth 
indicating great pain, trembling of the muscles, tem- 
perature elevated to 104° or 106° F., breathing very 
rapid, pulse fast and weak, hair rough. There are some 
cases where the animals are seized quickly with the 



10 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

disease and die very suddenly. This form resembles 
apoplexy. Carbuncles or Abscesses are teen on the sur- 
face of the body in nearly all cases, also a bloody dis- 
charge from the mouth and nose. The animal may 
stamp the ground, rear in the air, run and finally go into 
convulsions and die. This is termed "the furious form 
of Anthrax." 

Treatment. — Prevention is the most important. 
Fields or pastures that are infected with this disease 
should be burned every summer if possible, to destroy 
the germs. The animals that succumb to the disease 
should be buried deeply and quicklime thrown upon 
them, also any blood stains upon the ground should have 
a strong disinfectant thrown upon them. The hide of 
such an animal should not be used as the person remov- 
ing it is likely to contract the same disease, especially 
if an abrasion is present on the hand, or such a hide or 
any portion thereof is likety to spread the infection after 
reaching the tannery, etc. 

Medical Treatment or Serum Treatment. — 
This is the only thorough method of eradicating the dis- 
ease, and when this disease once becomes prevalent in a 
locality all animals should be inoculated with vaccine. 

BARRENNESS. 

\ {Failure to Breed) 

Cause. — Wasting or Atrophy, chronic inflammation 
of the mucous membrane lining the organs of generation, 
Whites, absence or excessive secretions of the organs 
of generation, contraction or displacement of the womb, 
horns being telescoped or twisted, cysts or growths on 
the ovaries, in-breeding or being a twin, are the predis- 
posing causes of Barrenness. 

Treatment. — Unsuccessful as a rule. Unless the 
cow is very valuable, treatment is not advisable. A care- 
ful examination, however, is recommended. If due to 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 11 

contraction of the neck of the womb it can be readily di- 
lated by the use of the hand, which should be greased 
with Carbolated Sweet Oil before attempting to perform 
the operation. 

BLACK LEG. 

{Symptomatic Anthrax — Black Quarter) 

Cause. — Due to germs. The Bacillus of Black Leg 
perhaps gains entrance to the blood by wounds of the 
skin or the mucous membranes lining the mouth and the 
intestines. This disease principally affects cattle, al- 
though sheep and goats may become affected with the 
same disease. 

Symptoms This disease affects cattle that are in 

good condition between the ages of six months and two 
years. In most cases death is very sudden, and perhaps 
the animal is found dead. The first symptoms are high 
temperatures from 104° to 108° F., loss of appetite, the 
animal stops chewing the cud, breathing considerably 
hurried, the joints of the limbs become swollen, also the 
chest and shoulders. All the swellings are painful on 
pressure and spread very rapidly over the body. The 
affected animals move with great difficulty and lie down 
frequently. If the hand is passed over the body, there 
is a peculiar crackling sound due to the gas developing 
under the skin. At the most distended portions of the 
swellings the skin becomes dr\^ and the animal apparent- 
ly has no sense of feeling. If the skin is punctured at 
this place, there will be a dark red, frothy discharge 
which has a veiy disagreeable odor. There will be a 
shivering of the muscles and the animal dies in con- 
vulsions. 

Treatment. — Remove non-affected animals to non- 
infected pastures, and confine affected animals to as 
small a territory as possible. The carcasses of the dead 
animals should be buried deep and covered with lime or 
burned, being very careful that all blood stains on the 
ground where the animals have been skinned are thor- 



12 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

oughly disinfected. Inoculation is necessary, and is the 
best form of treatment in localities where Black Leg 
exists. Inoculate or vaccinate the calves when six months 
old or over, although after the animal reaches the age 
of two years or over they generally become immune from 
this disease. 

BLEEDING. 

(Hemorrhage) 

Cause. — -Sometimes bleeding follows dehorning, cas- 
tration, and wounds due to various other causes. 

Treatment. — When bleeding from a large artery, it 
should be tied with a clean silk or linen thread or twisted 
with a pair of forceps or cauterized with a hot iron. 
Sometimes compression by the use of tightly bound 
bandages proves effective, although the former appli- 
ances are more practical. Tincture Chloride of Iron ap- 
plied to small arteries or veins causes the blood to clot 
in the arteries or veins and hence stops the hemorrhage. 
It is veiy essential that all wounds should be treated 
antiseptically and I cannot say that I favor washing a 
wound with water only in cases where the wound is very 
filthy, and I prefer powder applications in preference to 
any other antiseptics. The following will be found very 
effective in the treatment of the majority of wounds: 
Boracic Acid, two ounces; Iodoform, two drams; Tan- 
nic Acid, one-half ounce; Calomel, one dram. Powder 
finely and mix well. Place in sifter top can and apply 
two or three times daily. 

BLOATING. 

A very common disorder in cattle and characterized 
by a puffed up appearance of the left flank. The cow 
has four stomachs, of which the rumen is the largest, 
its capacity being about fifty gallons in the average cow, 
and it is this stomach which fills with gas when a cow 
bloats. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 13 

Cause, — Eating green clover or alfalfa; even when a 
cow is accustomed to this diet, it may cause bloating if 
wet with dew or rain; cured alfalfa, moldy or frozen 
mangles will also produce bloating ; the above mentioned 
foods undergo a process of fermentation which causes 
excessive formation of gas, and death may result very 
quickly and may be due to rupture of the stomach or the 
diaphragm (muscle separating the abdominal and lung 
cavities), but is more often due to suffocation caused 
by the distension of the stomach, which becomes so large 
that it presses the diaphragm forward against the lungs 
in such a manner as to stop their movement and the ani- 
mal smothers. When the cow falls, it indicates that one 
of these possibilities has occurred and death follows 
quickly. 

Symptoms. — Cattle usually bloat suddenly and with- 
out warning ; the left flank becomes abnormally swollen, 
back is arched, breathing labored ; sometimes the tongue 
hangs out and the animal bellows. When rupture or 
suffocation occurs the animal reels, staggers and falls, 
after which nothing more can be done. 

Treatment. — No time should be lost. Where the 
stomach is enormously distended with gas so as to cause 
the animals to stagger and breathe very rapidly, they 
should be gagged. This can be easily accomplished by 
taking a piece of wood about two inches in diameter, and 
eight inches to one foot long, placing it in their mouth 
and retaining it in that position by tying a string on each 
end and placing it back of the ears. If this does not give 
relief immediately, puncture the left flank about five 
inches downward and forward from the angle of hip 
bone. However, puncturing should not be resorted to 
only in cases where death threatens the animal, as ab- 
scesses, infection and severe hemorrhage may follow. 
A very reliable medical treatment for this condition 
should be in the medicine chest of every veterinary, such 
as Pulv. Asafetida, Oil of Turpentine, each one ounce. 
Place in gelatin capsules. This is a very efficient remedy 



14 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

for the eradication of excessive fermentation of gases in 
the stomach or intestines. • 

BLOOD POISON. 

( Pyemia — Septicaemia ) 

Cause. — Due to a septic infection taken into the 
blood, frequently found in cows with retained afterbirths, 
following inflammation of the womb or intestines, 
wounds and bruises of the skin and frequently found in 
calves affected with Joint 111. 

Symptoms. — High temperature 103° to 107° F., 
pulse rapid and feeble, breathing increased, grinding of 
the teeth, the animal refusing to eat in most cases and 
ceasing to chew the cud, although there may be great 
thirst present. Abscesses may form in various parts of 
the body, the membranes of the ej^es and mouth will be 
injected with blood, giving them a dark red appearance, 
although in the latter stages of Blood Poison this may 
change to a yellowish tinge. Constipation or Diarrhoea 
may be connected with the disease. The animal dies by 
general emaciation from four to six days after the first 
symptoms are noticed. 

Treatment. — Unsuccessful, as when the infection 
once becomes absorbed in the blood it is always certain 
that death will follow. If due to injuries or wounds, 
wash them with Bichloride solution, one part to one thou- 
sand parts of water, but if due to retained afterbirth or 
inflammation of the womb, inject one gallon of distilled 
water containing five per cent Carbolic Acid. If in 
young calves, treat the same as under the heading of 
Joint 111. If due to inflammation of the intestines, give 
Hyposulphite of Soda, two ounces; Potassi Iodide, one 
dram, two or three times a day in their drinking water. 
When abscesses form, lance them with a clean, sharp 
knife. If the animal is constipated, place two drams of 
Aloin, two drams of Pulv. Gentian Root in a capsule 
and give with capsule gun. If Diarrhoea is present, give 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 15 

Gum Catechu, two drams; Protan, three drams; Zinc 
Sulphocarbolates, one grain. Place in gelatin capsule 
and give with capsule gun. Feed warm wheat bran 
mashes, steamed rolled oats, vegetables and green grass, 
if possible. 

BLOODY FLUX. 

(Dysentery) 

Cause. — Chilling of the outer surface of the body. 
Improper feeding, as contaminated food or water, some- 
times connected with parasitic diseases of the intestines. 

Symptoms. — Dysentery is a sign of some irritation 
of the intestines terminating with increased contractions 
of muscular fibers of the bowels. The fecal matter, if 
frequently expelled, at first consists of a thick feces, but 
as the disease progresses the fecal matter becomes very 
thin and watery tinged with blood and very offen- 
sive. When the first signs are noticed the animals 
show no constitutional disturbances, but later the\^ ex- 
hibit abdominal pain by looking around to the flank. At 
this stage they are very weak, throwing the feet well to- 
gether, giving the back an arched appearance, and are 
very uneasy although they may lie down frequently. 
Temperature elevated from one to three degrees. The 
animal becomes emaciated and eventually dies. 

Treatment. — Determine the cause and remove it if 
possible. Keep the animal quiet. Give pure water to 
drink in small quantities but often. If the animal will 
eat, feed steamed rolled oats, etc. Flaxseed tea is very 
beneficial, as it is soothing to the intestines and assists 
in removing the irritations. Pour one quart of boiling 
water on one-half pint of pure Flaxseed, allowing it to 
cool, then compel the animal to drink it. The follow- 
ing prescription will be found very effective in all forms 
of Diarrhoea: Tannic Acid, one ounce; Protan, two 
ounces ; Gum Catechu, two ounces ; Beechwood Creosote, 
four scruples ; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, eight grains. Make 



16 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

into eight capsules and give one capsule every three or 
four hours with capsule gun. 

BLOODY MILK. 

Cause. — Bloody Milk may be the result of injury, 
congestion, inflammation of the udder. Feeding on rich 
milk-producing food suddenly may produce it. Bloody 
Milk is also produced in a covi^ by excitement when in 
heat or from eating resinous plants or shrubs. 

Treatment. — It is advisable in most cases to give a 
physic consisting of two drams of Aloin and Ginger 
two drams. Also administer Potassium Nitrate, four 
ounces ; Potassium Chlorate, two ounces, made into eight 
capsules and give one capsule twice daily with capsule 
gun. If due to rich food, reduce it. If due to eating 
resinous plants, remove them from the pasture contain- 
ing such shrubbery. Where congestion or inflammation 
of the bag is thought to produce it, apply Hot Water 
Packs, then dry and apply Blue Ointment and Zinc 
Ointment, equal parts, two ounces. Mix well and rub 
on thoroughly two or three times a day. 

BLUE MILK. 

Cause. — This condition is due to a germ (the Bacil- 
lus Cyanogenes ) which may occur in rich milk or cream 
immediately after being drawn or the germ may find 
its way into the opening of the teat. 

Treatment. — Injections into the teat of a solution 
composed of the following: Hyposulphite of Soda, 
two drams ; Boracic Acid, one dram, dissolved in one pint 
of boiling water. Permit to cool and inject a small quan- 
tity in each teat once or twice a day for three or four 
days. This will destroy the Blue Milk producing germ 
without any injuries to the cow udder, or teats. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 17 



BRONCHITIS. 

Cause. — Inhaling irritating gases or foreign bodies. 
'It is commonly seen after drenching from liquid escap- 
ing into the Avindpipe instead of going down the gullet. 
Animals exposed to cold, wet weather when not accus- 
tomed to it frequently develop Bronchitis. 

Symptoms. — Loss of appetite, chilling, temperature 
elevated two or three degrees above normal, ears and 
legs cold, nose hot and dry, breathing short and labored, 
painful coughing, slight discharge from the nostrils and 
saliva oozing from the mouth. If the ear is placed 
over the lower portion of the neck, a crepitating sound 
can be heard. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a clean, comfort- 
able stall where there is pure air and light but no drafts. 
Clothe the body if the weather is cold. Hand rub the 
legs and bandage with woolen cloths. Give inhalations 
of steam from Hot Water and Pine Tar for twenty min- 
utes two or three times a day. Also administer Nux 
Vomica, four ounces; Ginger, four ounces; Nitrate of 
Potash, four ounces. INIake into sixteen capsules and 
give one capsule everj'- four hours. Applications of the 
following liniment are of some value: Aqua Ammonia 
Fort., three ounces; Oil of Turpentine, three ounces; 
Sweet Oil, six ounces. Apply over the region of the 
windpipe the full length of the neck. 

CALF SCOURS. 

{Cholej'a — White Scours — Bloody Flux) 

Cause. — It is produced by a specific germ and is 
communicated hy direct or indirect contact with the germ 
which may gain entrance into the blood by the umbilical 
cord at or shortly after birth or through the digestive 
canal by drinking milk or eating food contaminated with 
the disease-producing germ. The more common means 



18 DISEASES or CATTLE 

of spreading the disease is through pails, drinking 
troughs, etc. 

Sypmtoms. — One of the most deadly forms of Diar- 
rhoea. This usually appears a few days after birth, al- 
though in some cases it takes several days for it to de- 
velop. Every sign of Diarrhoea is present, as frequent 
passages of feces of a yellowish-white color, frothy and 
very offensive in odor. The calf is very dull, weak, back 
arched, hair rough, eyes glassy and sunken back in their 
sockets, belly retracted, breathing short and fast. The 
calf finally lies flat on the side, head resting on the floor 
or ground with a temperature generally below normal. 
The calf finally becomes unconscious and death follows. 

Treatment. — ^Give Protan, three ounces ; Zinc Sul- 
phocarbolates, eight grains; Gum Catechu, powdered, 
two ounces; Ginger, one ounce; Beechwood Creosote, 
one dram. Make into eight capsules and give one capsule 
every two hours until relieved. When the calf will take 
its feed, if not nursing its mother, see that the milk is 
pure and the utensil containing it thoroughly scalded 
with hot water. Keep the animal in clean, sanitary 
quarters, as quiet as possible for a few days, and if the 
disease is not too far advanced a good recovery will fol- 
low. 

CALVING. 

Signs of Normal Calving are firmness and enlarge- 
ment of the udder, extending well forward following the 
milk veins. The teats as a rule discharge a thin milky 
fluid, relaxation of the muscles on each side of the croup 
or the base of the tail. The outer surfaces of the womb 
becomes swollen and inflamed, discharging sticky, 
stringy, transparent mucus. The cow becomes uneasy, 
stops eating, and if in a pasture becomes separated from 
the rest of the herd ; will lie down and get up alternately 
as if in great agony. When birth pains start, the back 
is arched, and a severe straining follows the contraction 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 19 

of the abdominal muscles. The membranes covering the 
foetus will be the first to make their appearance, en- 
gorged with a fluid from the womb. This is commonly- 
known as the water bag, which eventually bursts and the 
two fore feet can be seen, and, as the animal continues to 
strain, the nose and head will be next to be seen. When 
the calf's shoulders are exposed, the cow as a rule rises 
suddenly to her feet and the entire calf is expelled, also 
the membranes surrounding it, but the membranes next 
to the womb, as a general rule, remain longer and some- 
times require artificial assistance to remove them. (See 
Retention of the Afterbirth.) Destroy the foetal mem- 
branes by burning or burying them deeply. Do not per- 
mit the cow to eat them. Wash the calf's navel with 
Bichloride of Mercury, one part to one thousand parts 
water, once or twice a day until the navel is thoroughly 
dry, or an infection may follow, producing Joint 111 or 
Scours, from which death may result. 

Abnormal Calving. — This is a condition where the 
foetus is not normally presented, as that just described. 
Their feet may be presented in a normal manner, but 
the head and neck twisted back or to one side, or the 
head and one fore foot may be presented normally, while 
the other fore foot is doubled back, or there may be a 
breech presentation as the rump of a foetus with both 
hind feet thrown close to its body. This is a very diffi- 
cult presentation, especially if in a young ainmal. A 
foetus abnormally presented requires good judgment 
and cleanliness, also lubrication of the walls of the womb 
with unsalted Lard, Cotton or Sweet Oil. Endeavor to 
place the foetus in as near a normal position as possi- 
ble before any force is used in its delivery, although 
where both hind feet are presented, it is advisable to re- 
move it in this position. The hands and ropes should be 
clean and washed with a five per cent solution of Carbolic 
Acid. It is not only dangerous to the animal, but to the 
operator as well, if proper antiseptic precautions are not 
practiced. 

Space does not permit me going into details on van- 



20 DISEASES or CATTLE 

ous foetal presentations nor does it permit me to explain 
the exact methods or operations I would use in each par- 
ticular case. Nevertheless, good judgment and cleanli- 
ness are important. Do not hurry. Take your time, and 
you will be successful in most cases. 

When the foetus is removed, and the afterbirth does 
not come away within twelve or eighteen hours, remove 
it. ( See Retention of Afterbirth, which will describe its 
means Df attachment and its removal.) 

CASTING THE WITHERS. 

{E version of the Womb) 

Cause. — Failure of the womb to contract after Calv- 
ing. If the womb contracts naturally and the afterbirth 
expelled, the cavity of the womb is nearly closed and 
the neck of the womb becomes so narrow that the hand 
cannot be inserted. When the womb fails to contract, 
one or both horns of the womb become so relaxed that 
they fall into the cavity causing straining and contraction 
of the abdominal muscles, forcing the womb out grad- 
ually until the organ is turned inside out. The womb 
can be easily distinguished from the other membranes 
on account of the presence of sixty to eighty mushroom- 
like bodies (cotyledons) two to four inches in diameter 
attached to the walls of the womb by a narrow neck. 
The womb when hanging out becomes engorged with 
blood and inflamed until it is as large as a grain sack, 
very dark in color, tears and bleeds with the slightest 
touch. Later it becomes lacerated and gangrenous. 

Symptoms. — At first, the general health is not very 
much interfered with, but the inflammation which is 
marked by an elevation in temperature becomes very 
noticeable, accompanied by severe straining and exhaus- 
tion. The animal lies down, but continues to strain until 
death, unless relief is afforded the animal at once. 

Treatment. — Great care must be exercised. The 
parts of the womb coming in contact with the cow's hips, 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 21 

tail or floors must be thoroughly washed with a five per 
cent solution of Carbolic Acid, using a soft cloth or 
sponge to remove dirt, clots, etc. Place the cow in a posi- 
tion so as to have her hind quarters much higher than 
the head, and then endeavor to replace the womb. After 
washing as stated above, bandage the tail with a clean 
cloth ; have an assistant hold up the womb and the opera- 
tor use gentle manipulation and pressure with clean 
hands; this perhaps is the best method of replacing the 
womb. Then follow by flushing out the womb with a 
weak Carbolic Acid solution and luke warm water. This 
has a tendency to straighten out the horns of the uterus 
and prevent infection. If the cow continues to strain, 
give Potassium Bromide in ounce doses every two or 
three hours in her drinking water, or place in capsule 
and give with capsule gun. 

Sometimes stimulants and tonics are necessary and 
the following will be found very effective: Pulv. Nux 
Vomica, four ounces ; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces ; 
Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces. Make into sixteen 
capsules and give one capsule every six hours with cap- 
sule gun. 

It is well to compel the animal to stand or lie with 
the hind parts elevated, until the signs of straining have 
ceased. 

CATARACT OF THE EYE. 

Cause. — Is due to deep seated inflammation of the 
eye produced by an injury or weakened condition of the 
optic nerve. 

Symptoms. — If the pupil of one of the eyes appears 
larger than the other it is well to make a careful exam- 
ination, as this is the first sign of Cataract. If such a 
condition is neglected, partial or complete blindness will 
follow and a white, pearly deposit can be seen on the 
lens of the eye. 



22 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

Treatment. — Very unsatisfactory unless treated 
carefully when the first signs are noticed. Place the ani- 
mal in a darkened stable. Feed clean, sloppy food and it 
may be necessary to give a physic consisting of two 
drams of Aloin, two drams of Pulv. Ginger, placed in a 
capsule and given with capsule gun. The following oint- 
ment: Yellow Oxide of Mercury, four grains; Lanolin, 
one ounce, should be mixed well and applied to the eye 
two or three times a day. 

CATARRH. 

Cause. — 111 ventilated stables, inhalations of irritat- 
ing gases or sudden exposure to cold, wet weather, after 
being accustomed to warm stables. Most commonly seen 
in the Spring or Fall. 

Symptoms Chilling and temperature elevated one 

or two degrees, pulse not much affected, breathing hur- 
ried to some extent, sneezing, coughing, dullness and the 
appetite is slightly impaired. In the first stages the nos- 
trils are very dry and considerably inflamed, but in the 
course of a few days the fever subsides and a profuse 
discharge from the nose is observed. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in dry, well ventil- 
ated stall, blanket well and supply a good quality and 
quantity of bedding. Give inhalations from steam and 
hot water and Pine Tar. If the animal is constipated, 
give rectal injections of Soap and Warm Water two or 
three times a day. Also administer Potassium Nitrate, 
Pulv. Nux Vomica, each four ounces; Capsicum, two 
ounces, and Pulv. Ginger two ounces. Make into twen- 
ty-four capsules and give one capsule three or four times 
a day. This should not be neglected, as neglected Ca- 
tarrh is liable to be followed by Laryngitis, Bronchitis, 
Pneumonia, Pleurisy or other diseases of the organs of 
breathing, which are very serious and sometimes cause 
the death of the animal. 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 23 



CHAPPED TEATS. 

Cause. — Anything that tends to irritate them. A 
sudden chilhng of the teat in cold weather after the calf 
has just let it go, or after the operation of milking with 
wet hands or from an animal wading through deep water 
or tall wet grass. Also filth or irritants coming in eon- 
tact with teats when lying down. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause if possible and dry 
the teats well after each milking and apply Zinc Oxide 
ointment. Feed laxative food that is easily digested, 
as it has a very good effect on the blood, consequently 
it promotes the healing of wounds. 

CHOKING. 

(Obstruction of the Esophagus) 

Cause. — An obstruction of the Esophagus (gullet) 
produced by an animal attempting to swallow apples, po- 
tatoes, roots, dry grain, etc. 

Symptoms. — A stringy discharge of saliva from the 
mouth, violent coughing, wrenching of the head and 
neck. The animal will bloat very quickly if the Esoph- 
agus or gullet is completely obstructed. 

Treatment. — The obstruction as a rule is easily lo- 
cated, and as quickly as possible withdraw the obstruc- 
tion by inserting the hand and extracting the object. Do 
not attempt to push the object down into the stomach, 
except as a last resort, as there is a great deal of danger 
of rupturing the Esophagus or gullet. Push the object 
upward by gentle manipulation from the outside. If this 
fails, a smooth piece of hose about eight or nine feet 
long, well greased with Lard, Butter or Oil, should be 
passed down the Esophagus or gullet. A block of wood 



24 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

about two inches in diameter with a hole bored through 
the center just a little larger than the hose, placed in the 
mouth, will prevent the animal from biting the hose, and 
make the operation easier. 

When the animal is bloated severely, puncture with a 
knife about four or five inches from the point of the hip 
downward and forward. 

CHRONIC DYSENTERY. 

{Bacterial Dysentery — Johnes Disease) 

Cause. — Acid-fast Bacillus resembling the Tubercu- 
lar Bacillus that invade the intestines by the way of the 
animal drinking water or eating food containing the 
Acid-fast Bacteria. 

Symptoms. — Diarrhoea, loss of flesh, although the 
appetite is good, hair becomes dry and harsh, tempera- 
ture remains about normal. The Diarrhoea becomes per- 
sistent and tinged with blood. The animal becomes ema- 
ciated and anemic, exhausted, and death follows. This 
disease may continue for a month or even a year before 
death takes place. However this is very uncommon. 
They generally die very shortly. 

Treatment. — Separate the affected cattle from the 
healthy ones. All fecal matter should be deeply buried 
or burned, the stalls, barnyards, also thoroughly disin- 
fected. Administration of medicine thus far has been 
unsatisfactory, although a treatment should be directed 
toward the intestines with internal antiseptics such as 
Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one and one-half grains ; Protan, 
three drams; Pulv. Nux Vomica, one dram; Bismuth 
Subnitrate, one dram. Place in gelatin capsule and 
give with capsule gun. This dose should be repeated 
three or four times a day. Feed a good quality of food, 
such as wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats and see 
that the water supply is fresh and non-contaminated. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 25 



COLIC. 

Cause. — Drinking large quantities of cold water 
when overheated. However, this disorder is very uncom- 
mon in cattle owing to the fact that they are not worked, 
seldom overheated, and drink water very slowly. 

Symptoms. — Kicking or raising of the feet to the 
belly. Lying down and getting up alternately. Disten- 
tion of the stomach or paunch with gas. The animal 
chills or shivers, etc. 

Treatment. — Strong stimulants or tonics as the fol- 
lowing will give immediate results if administered in its 
first stages : Pulv. Nux Vomica, two ounces ; Pulv. Gin- 
ger, two ounces ; Pulv. Capsicum, two ounces. Make into 
eight capsules and give one capsule every two hours 
until relieved. Give the capsules with capsule gun. If 
severe bloating accompanies a case of Colic in cattle 
place one ounce dose of Oil of Turpentine in ounce cap- 
sules and give with capsule gun. 



CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 

Cause. — Cattle permitted to stand in drafts when 
warm after being driven, etc., irritating drugs escaping 
into the lungs when drenching, as it is very difficult for 
cattle to swallow when their heads are elevated. 

Symptoms. — Dullness. The animal loses its spirits, 
so to speak, usually shivers or trembles. When this 
ceases, the temperature rises to perhaps 105° to 106° F. 
The ears and legs grow cold, the nose hot and dry, pulse 
rapid but firm, breathing short and labored, a short hack- 
ing cough will be present. Such animals generally re- 
main standing. 

Other symptoms are constipation, the feces covered 
with mucus or a slime, great thirst. The eyes are in- 
flamed and look glassy. The secretions of milk are sup- 
pressed, if these symptoms develop in milking cows. 



26 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

Treatment. — Place the animal in clean, warm, com- 
fortable quarters permitting light and as much pure air 
as possible, but avoid drafts and blanket the animal if 
chilly. Hand rub the legs and bandage with woolen 
cloths. Administer Pulv. Carbonate of Ammonia, four 
ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, three ounces; Quinine, two 
ounces; Nitrate of Potash, two ounces; Potassium, lo- 
one ounce. Make into twenty-four capsules and give one 
capsule every four hours with capsule gun. Also apply 
a paste made from Mustard and cold water over the lung 
cavities just back of the fore legs. Apply once a day 
and perhaps one or two applications will be sufficient. 

If this disease is treated when the first symptoms de- 
velop, a good recovery will follow. Feed easily digested 
food as hot wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats, 
vegetables and green grass if possible. 

CONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 

{Infectious Abortion) 

Cause. — Due to germ (Bacollus Abortus) coming in 
direct contact with the genital organs of a bull or cow 
and can be indefinitely transmitted from one herd to an- 
other by infected bulls serving healthy cows, or infected 
cows when served transmit the infection to healthy bulls. 
Healthy cows become infected by their genital organs 
coming in contact with litter on floors when lying down 
or rubbing against fences, walls or posts previously soiled 
by aborting cows. Cattle licking one another is also a 
prolific cause. 

Symptoms. — The signs of calving are not so well 
marked as in normal calving, especially where the abort- 
ing animal is a heifer and the gestation period has not 
exceeded three or four weeks. In cows, especially where 
the gestation period has advanced to five or seven 
months, the symptoms are easily detected as a rule by a 
swelling of the udder, or what is commonly termed "mak- 
ing bag," the outer portions of the womb swollen and 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 27 

inflamed as in normal calving. As the period of abor- 
tion approaches, there will be a discharge of mucus and 
blood from the womb. Labor pains are not as severe as 
in normal calving, owing to the absence of hair on the 
foetus and being smaller ; although the afterbirth ( foetal 
membranes), may be retained the same as in normal 
calving. 

Preventi^^e Treatment. — This perhaps is the 
cheapest and best method of treating Contagious Abor- 
tion. When purchasing bulls or cows, ascertain whether 
the farm you purchased from has Contagious Abortion. 
An investigation of this kind often saves labor, time and 
money. 

Medical Treatment. — When once Contagious 
Abortion makes its appearance, separate infected from 
non-infected animals, remove all litter, manure, etc., 
from barns, corrals, and burn or bury deeply. The con- 
veyances used should be tight so as to prevent scattering. 
Scrub and disinfect floors, fences, walls and barns and 
rubbing posts with a solution made from three pounds of 
Copper Sulphate to ten gallons of water, permitting it 
to thoroughly dissolve before using. Use an ordinary 
barrel and cover so as to prevent any cattle drinking 
same, as it is very poisonous. l^Hhen a cow aborts, re- 
move the calf and afterbirth in a tight receptacle that 
will prevent any portion from being scattered, and burn 
or bury deepljs disinfect the floor and walls of stall 
where the abortion took place as long as the cow is dis- 
charging any fluids from the womb. A gallon of distilled 
or boiled water containing about one per cent Carbolic 
Acid should be injected into the womb with an ordinary 
hose and funnel. This should be repeated once a day for 
a week. Use a solution of the same strength for washing 
the tail and parts around the outer part of the womb, or 
in fact any part that the discharge of an aborting cow 
may come in contact with. 

Internally, give Methylen Blue in thirty grain doses, 
every other day for two weeks. This is an exceptionally 



28 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

disagreeable drug to administer as it stains everything it 
comes in contact with. Place it in a gelatin capsule or 
have your druggist prepare six or seven capsules con- 
taining thirty grains each. Then administer with cap- 
sule gun. Insist on pure Methylen Blue, accept no sub- 
stitute. This treatment has proven very effective in 
many localities where strict aseptic precautions were car- 
ried out, as washing out the womb or any parts that the 
discharge of an aborting cow may come in contact with 
and proper cleanliness and disinfection of stables, etc. 
Cows should not be bred for several weeks following 
abortion or as long as there is a discharge present. Bulls 
should be treated in much the same way, as administer- 
ing Methylen Blue in same size doses for the same length 
of time as that of the cow. But in addition to this, use a 
one per cent solution of Carbolic Acid for injecting into 
the bull's sheath, holding the end of the sheath while the 
solution is being injected, until it is well distended; hold- 
ing the opening of the sheath allowing the solution to 
remain as long as convenient. Also, wash belly, muzzle, 
etc., with a solution of the same strength. 

COUGH. 

^ (Acute and Chrome) 

As a cough is a symptom of various diseases, these 
in addition to the cough should be treated. 

Kinds of Cough. — Many writers give several dif- 
ferent varieties, but for the sake of convenience I will 
divide them into two forms, namely : Acute and Chronic. 

Cause. — ^Acute coughs are generally due to sudden 
exposure of cold, drafts and are the forerunning symp- 
tom of a disease of the organs of breathing. 

Chronic Coughs are associated with, and are a result 
of sore throat, lung fever, pleurisy, bronchitis, catarrh 
and tuberculosis. 

Treatment. — Under each disease, of which a cough 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 29 

is a symptom, I have also prescribed to include its sup- 
price, yet very effective in all forms of cough: Tannic 
pression. The following prescription is reasonable in 
Acid, one ounce ; Potassi Chlorate, four ounces ; Potassi 
Nitrate, four ounces. Powder well and mix with Black 
Strap Molasses, one pint, placing container with con- 
tents in hot water, which assists in dissolving. When 
this is thoroughly mixed, add Pine Tar, one pint, and 
place one tablespoonful well back on the tongue with a 
wooden paddle every three or four hours, according to 
the severity of the cough. 

Sometimes a liniment applied to the throat and wind- 
pipe has a good effect, and I would recommend the fol- 
lowing on account of its penetrating qualities: Aqua 
Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; 
Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply twice 
daily, shaking the contents of the bottle well before 
using. 

COWPOX. 

(Variola) 

Cause. — Investigations lead us to believe that it is 
due to protozoa. So far, the true micro-organism has 
not been discovered. This disease is very contagious and 
is transmitted by direct communication but not through 
the air. Perhaps the most common way of transmitting 
the disease is by the hands of the milker. 

Symptoms. — A slight rise in the temperature, espe- 
cially that of the udder and teats. They are red, swol- 
len and tender and after three or four days small pim- 
ples or pustules will appear on the teats, about the size of 
a pea. The pimples or pustules become larger and within 
a few days may attain the size of one-half inch in diame- 
ter. At the end of the second week the pimples or pus- 
tules burst and discharge an amber colored fluid leaving 
raw sores, which cause the animal to suffer intensely 



30 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

when being milked. The supply of milk is also markedly- 
decreased in this condition. 

Prevention. — A person should not milk both 
healthy and diseased cows unless the hands are thorough- 
ly washed in a Carbolated Solution ; the clothes that are 
likely to come in contact with the udder, coat sleeves, 
etc., changed. 

Treatment. — It is advisable to give a physic as it 
has a very good effect on the blood, such as Aloin, two 
drams, and Ginger, two drams, which is easily prepared 
and administered by placing in capsule and giving with 
capsule gun. 

Also, the application of Zinc Ointment two or three 
times a day affords immediate relief and causes the 
sores to heal rapidly. Good results are also obtained by 
feeding food that is easily digested, as bran mashes, 
steamed rolled oats and vegetables. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Cause. — Giving rich succulent foods after being fed 
on stimulating diets for some time, and such a case may 
be a benefit to the animal instead of an injury. Turnips, 
carrots, etc., especially if frozen slightly, are apt to pro- 
duce it. Also impure and stagnant water which acts as 
a poison or some irritant in the food, as sand, clay, etc., 
or it may result from excitement, as driving cattle or 
shipping cattle in cars when not accustomed to it. Or, 
it may be the result of an overdose of irritating medi- 
cines. Diarrhoea as a rule is not fatal. It is often an 
effort of nature to relieve the system of some disease, as 
poison in the blood. The easiest way to get rid of it is 
by way of the bowels. 

Symptoms. — It is easily detected. An animal has 
frequent passages which are of a liquid nature. At 
first the pulse is but little affected, but after a day or 
two it becomes weak and slightly increased. If it con- 
tinues for a few days the pulse increases, the ears and 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 33 

Symptoms. — Redness of the skin and the animal rubs 
itself; is usually confined to a small area at first, but 
eventually spreads. Considerable inflammation is pres- 
ent, also eruptions of the skin which discharge white, 
serous, sticky fluid, terminating in scabs and thickness 
of the skin. Sometimes suppuration or formation of pus- 
tules containing pus are present. These symptoms do not 
always occur in regular succession; in some cases the 
serums oozing from the skin will be more prominent than 
in others. 

Treatment. — Determine the cause and remove it. 
If due to poor food, improve the quality. Also feed lax- 
ative food, as hot bran mashes, steamed rolled oats. If 
the bowels do not act freely, administer Aloin, two 
drams, and Ginger, three drams. Place in gelatin cap- 
sule and give with capsule gun. An ointment made from 
the following is very effective as an application in this 
condition : Blue Ointment, one ounce ; Zinc Oxide, three 
ounces. Mix well and apply two or three times a day. 
A tonic usually has a very good effect in the treatment 
of this disease, and I would recommend the use of the 
following : Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces ; Potassium 
Nitrate, four ounces ; Ferri Sulphate, four ounces. Mix 
and make into twelve capsules and give one capsule two 
or three times a day with capsule gun. 

ERGOT POISON. 

(Ergotism) 

Cause. — Ergotism is produced by cattle eating fun- 
goid growths which attack kernels and seeds of rye and 
blue grass, etc. These kernels or seeds grow dark in 
color and become abnormally large and curved in shape. 
The infected grass or hay when eaten by cattle contract 
the arteries, esf)ecially those of the legs, just above the 
feet, although all the arteries in the body are contracted 
to a certain extent. This disease is frequently seen in 
Spring and Summer. 



32 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

horns are removed and wounds healed. When a horn is 
freshly amputated, apply Oil of Tar occasionally, as it 
is an antiseptic and prevents infection and the annoy- 
ance of flies. However, this should be performed during 
the season when the flies are less numerous. 

DROPSY. 

^{Ascities) 

Cause. — Usually seen in aged cattle fed on poor 
food where the blood becomes so poor, so to speak, 
that Dropsy follows. The presence of worms frequently 
stimulates excessive secretions of fluid, producing 
Dropsy. 

Symptoms. — The abdomen is abnormally increased 
in size, flanks are gaunt, paleness of the membranes of 
the mouth and eyes and a general weakness. Pressure 
with the hand on the abdominal walls will produce a 
splashing, watery sound. 

Treatment. — The cause at first should be deter- 
mined and the disease treated accordingly. If due to 
worms, withhold all food for twenty-four hours. Place 
two ounces of Oil of Turpentine in gelatin capsules and 
give with capsule gun. Follow this in six hours with two 
drams of Aloin, three drams of Ginger in gelatin capsule 
and give with capsule gun. Feed nourishing food as 
wheat bran mashes and one cup of Flaxseed meal once a 
day. In their drinking water place one dram of Potas- 
sium Iodide two or three times a day. See that this water 
is drunk and give no other until this is consumed by the 
animal. 

ECZEMA. 

Cause. — Insanitary surroundings, as warm, damp 
stables. Overfeeding, swills, decomposed vegetables. 
Applying irrigating drugs to the skin. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 33 

Symptoms. — Redness of the skin and the animal rubs 
itself; is usually confined to a small area at first, but 
eventually spreads. Considerable inflammation is pres- 
ent, also eruptions of the skin which discharge white, 
serous, sticky fluid, terminating in scabs and thickness 
of the skin. Sometimes suppuration or formation of pus- 
tules containing pus are present. These symptoms do not 
always occur in regular succession; in some cases the 
serums oozing from the skin will be more prominent than 
in others. 

Treatment. — Determine the cause and remove it. 
If due to poor food, improve the quality. Also feed lax- 
ative food, as hot bran mashes, steamed rolled oats. If 
the bowels do not act freely, administer Aloin, two 
drams, and Ginger, three drams. Place in gelatin cap- 
sule and give Avith capsule gun. An ointment made from 
the following is very effective as an application in this 
condition : Blue Ointment, one ounce ; Zinc Oxide, three 
ounces. Mix well and apply two or three times a day. 
A tonic usually has a very good effect in the treatment 
of this disease, and I would recommend the use of the 
following : Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces ; Potassium 
Nitrate, four ounces ; Ferri Sulphate, four ounces. Mix 
and make into twelve capsules and give one capsule two 
or three times a day with capsule gun. 

ERGOT POISON. 

(Ergotism) 

Cause. — Ergotism is produced by cattle eating fun- 
goid growths which attack kernels and seeds of rye and 
blue grass, etc. These kernels or seeds grow dark in 
color and become abnormally large and curved in shape. 
The infected grass or hay when eaten by cattle contract 
the arteries, especially those of the legs, just above the 
feet, although all the arteries in the body are contracted 
to a certain extent. This disease is frequently seen in 
Spring and Summer. 



34 DISE^iSES OF CATTLE 

Symptoms. — Ergot is prescribed in cases of bleeding, 
because of its contracting effect upon the arteries (clos- 
ing or stopping the flow of blood) where the blood sup- 
ply is the weakest, as in the extremities. It is cut off and 
this, of course, causes the skin just above the hoofs to 
break or crack as though it were cut with a knife. This 
shuts off the entire supply of blood to the foot, which 
mummifies, and the lower portion becomes gangrenous 
and eventually sloughs off. One of the first effects of 
Ergot Poison in pregnant cattle is abortion, due to the 
blood supply to the womb being shut off by its contract- 
ing effect on the arteries. Cattle are particularly sus- 
ceptible to Ergotism. 

Treatment. — When Ergotism is so advanced as to 
produce sloughing of the feet it is best to destroy the 
animal. If other animals are affected slightly, find out 
the cause and remove it. Look to the hay or pasture as 
the producer. Administer one-half ounce of Chloral 
Hydrate, two or three times a day in their drinking wa- 
ter or mix it with sufficient quantity of Flaxseed meal 
to fill an ounce gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 
If the skin is slightly broken above the foot, wash with 
five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid. Where the feet 
have become gangrenous amputation of the foot or feet 
is necessary, which is not advisable unless the animal is 
very valuable. 

FLUKE. 

^ (Liver and Lungs) 

Cause. — This disease is contracted by cattle grazing 
on marshy lands. There are two different species of 
Fluke that affect the liver and lungs of cattle. They 
are both flat, leaf -like worms. The Common Liver Fluke 
is about one-half inch long, while the so-called American 
Fluke is somewhat larger. In their life history these 
Flukes depend on snails as intermediate hosts. At a 
certain stage of development the young Flukes live on 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 35 

snails. They become encysted on stalks and blades of 
grass which are finally swallowed by grazing cattle. This 
disease is most frequently seen in young cattle. 

Syjmptoms. — The animal shows no marked signs at 
first, but eventually the appetite diminishes, rumination 
or chewing of the cud becomes irregular, the animal be- 
comes dull, hide-bound, hair standing, the visible mucous 
membranes of the mouth and eyes become pale and 
bloodless, the eyes discharge watery fluids which ooze 
down the face, temperature varies from two to three de- 
grees above normal and milk supply, if in aged cattle, 
remarkably reduced. In all cases there is great thirst 
and the animal becomes very much emaciated and refuses 
to eat. Swellings about the belly and breast, etc. Diar- 
rhoea at first, alternating with constipation, but finally 
becomes continuous. The diseased animal succumbs to 
the malady in from two to six months. 

Treatment. — Medical treatment is unsatisfactory. 
The disease will be prevented to a considerable extent 
by giving animals plentj'^ of salt and in the marshes con- 
taining pools of water introduce or plant carp, frogs and 
toads into the infected tracts. These will destroy the 
young parasites and feed upon the snails which serve as 
their intermediate hosts. Or, prevent the cattle from 
grazing upon swampj'^ marshes by fencing them out. 

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 
{Infectioiis Aphtha — Epizootica Eczema) 

Cause. — This disease is produced by a specific agent 
or germ, the exact nature of which is not known. It will 
pass through the Berkfelt filter, which is the most minute 
filter known to science, and is therefore known as a filter- 
able virus. This is an eruptive fever and belongs to the 
class of Exanthematous diseases such as smallpox, 
measles, scarlet fever, etc. Every outbreak starts from 
some pre-existing infection. The infection is distributed 
by manure, pastures, barnyards, hay, drinking troughs, 



36 DISEASES or CATTLE 

box-cars, ships, boats which have been previously oc- 
cupied by animals affected with this disease, travel over 
public highways or man may carry the infection of this 
disease on his clothing and transmit it to healthy cattle, 
etc. Foot and Mouth Disease not only affects cattle, but 
attacks a variety of animals, as the horse, sheep, goat, 
hog, dog, cat, also wild animals as buffalo, deer, antelope, 
and man himself is not immune from this disease. Chil- 
dren also suffer from Foot and Mouth Disease, resulting 
from drinking unboiled milk from infected cattle. There- 
fore, when purchasing cattle be very careful, as you may 
be buying an infectious disease. Keep the newly pur- 
chased animals to themselves for two or three weeks, if 
possible. This will give ample time for the majority 
of infectious diseases to develop. 

Symptoms. — ^The disease usually makes its first ap- 
pearance in three to six days after being exposed, by 
chilling, rise of temperature, and in a day or so pustules 
varying in size from that of a pin head to that of a pea 
appear. They appear upon the inner surface of the lips, 
gums and upper surface of the tongue. The feet also be- 
come affected between the digits. The udder usually be- 
comes affected, especially in milking cows. As soon as 
this disease becomes well established the affected animal 
evinces great pain when attempting to eat. The animal 
generally refuses food. In many instances they shut and 
open the mouth with a smacking sound owing to the 
string}^ saliva flowing from the mouth. The ulcers in 
the mouth continue to enlarge until they attain the size 
of one-half to two inches in diameter. The mucous mem- 
brane covering these ulcers breaks and a watery dis- 
charge escapes. In a few days the surface of the ulcers 
takes on a whitish appearance. The same changes take 
place in the feet and the animal becomes very lame and 
the udder very much swollen, the ulcers discharge, etc. 

Prevention. — When anj^ of the above mentioned 
symptoms are noticed, non-affected animals should im- 
mediately be removed to non-affected quarters. This dis- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 37 

ease is not communicated through the atmosphere but by 
the animal coming into direct contact with the infection 
or virus ; hence it is not necessary to move unaffected ani- 
mals any great distance but merely to clean, sanitary 
quarters which have not been subjected to any possible 
infection from the diseased animals. It must be borne in 
mind that the attendant or helper cannot be too careful 
in the matter of his own actions and dress as the infec- 
tion is easily carried through clothes, fecal matter, etc., 
adhering to shoes or any matter or articles, such as buck- 
ets, brushes, rubrags, blankets, etc. 

The existence of this disease should at once be re- 
ported to the State Veterinarian of your State or to the 
United States Bureau of Animal Industry at Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

Treatment. — I cannot recommend any treatment 
as being satisfactory or a cure, for although under some 
treatments the animal appears to make a good recovery, 
in the majority of cases the feet are disfigured and crip- 
pled, the udder permanently injured with growths, an- 
imal unfit for milking purposes, and the mouth, tongue 
and teeth left impaired ; the mouth and tongue strictured 
from wounds and the teeth loosened from the gums. 
Furthermore, should an animal make apparent recovery, 
it is not immune from a recurrence of the disease. In 
treating the disease, there is not only danger of spreading 
the disease to other animals, but to man. The flesh or 
milk from animals apparently cured should never be 
used unless first examined by a qualified meat inspector. 

Without question, all animals showing severe symp- 
toms as above described should be at once slaughtered 
and buried six feet or deeper, covering carcass with 
Quicklime and then promptly filling grave, according to 
the Government regulations, which should be followed 
explicitly. Be careful to disinfect scene of slaughter, as 
bloodstains, etc. The United States Bureau of Animal 
Industry regulates the disinfectants to be used and the 
strength thereof, and as these are subject to change from 



38 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

time to time, I must refer you in this matter to the proper 
Government authorities. 

Medical Treatment. — If permitted by Govern- 
ment authorities, I would suggest the following treat- 
ment as being beneficial: In mild attacks of Foot and 
Mouth Disease benefits may be derived by cleanliness 
and the applications of antiseptics as placing Boracic 
Acid, one dram; Potassium Chlorate, two drams, in a 
bucket of water, compelling the animal to drink it. Re- 
peat this dose two or three times a day. Also compel the 
animals to stand in tubs or troughs containing a one in 
one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury for at 
least five minutes, twice daily. When other parts of the 
body become affected, as the cow's udder, apply Carbo- 
lated Vaseline twice daily. This treatment should be 
continued until all ulcers have ceased to discharge. Al- 
ways keep in mind that this disease is contagious and is 
transmitted to other animals, as well as to man. For dis- 
infecting corrals, barns, clothing, hands and anything 
which the diseased animal might come in contact with, 
I would recommend Coal Tar products, diluted one part 
to fifty parts warm water. Spray, sprinkle or scrub. 

FOOT ROT. 

{Foul in Foot) 

Cause. — Due to filth or from hard substances accu- 
mulating between the two digits, producing irritation 
and inflammation and suppuration. 

Symptoms. — Lameness. On examination the foot is 
swollen, hot and painful to the touch. When the case is 
of long standing, suppuration occurs and pus will ooze 
from between the digits, and is verj^ offensive in smell. 
This condition causes the digits to slough off, if no at- 
tempt is made to relieve it. 

Treatment. — ^Cleanliness. Where there is consider- 
able inflammation present, apply Hot Bran or Flaxseed 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 39 

poultices. Keep clean and treat as an ordinary wound. 
The following prescription will be found very effective 
in Foot Rot : Oil of Origanum, four ounces ; Oil of Pisis, 
four ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four ounces. Saturate 
oakum or cotton with the above liniment placing between 
the digits and bandage. Feed laxative food, as hot wheat 
bran mashes and vegetables. 

FOUNDER. 

(Laminitis) 

Inflammation of the internal, sensitive structure of 
the foot. 

Cause. — Overfeeding, overheating, driving on rough, 
stony soil. Cattle compelled to stand on hard floors with- 
out exercise frequently suffer from Founder. 

Symptoms. — The animals lie down a great part of 
the time. Feet hot and tender and if made to walk they 
do so with great difficulty. One or all four feet ma}^ be- 
come affected, although it is more frequently found in 
the front feet. The temperature is somewhat elevated, 
varying from 104° to 106° F., breathing very rapid, ap- 
petite fairly good and there will be great thirst. Founder 
in cows reduces the milk secretion, ovv^ing to the great 
fever that is present. 

Treatment. — Apply cold packs to the feet, ice 
packs preferred. Tf the animal can be made to stand in a 
stream of water having a soft bottom, it, perhaps, is the 
best method of cooling off the feet. Give a physic of 
Aloin, three drams; Pulv. Gentian Root, two drams. 
Place in a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. To 
their drinking water add two or three drams of Potassi 
Nitrate three or four times daily. Animals suffering 
with Founder should be provided with soft ground to 
stand on, as their feet will be tender and subject to the 
chronic form of the disease. 



40 DISEASES or CATTLE 

GARGET. 

{Congestion of the Udder) 

Cause. — Very common in heavy milkers before or 
just after calving when the bag is very much enlarged 
and very sensitive; exposure to chill or standing in 
drafts or even neglected for too long a time in milking. 
Injuries may also cause Garget. 

Symptoms. — The bag is very much enlarged, show- 
ing signs of inflammation. The swelling extends well 
forward following the milk veins. The cow has great 
difficulty in walking due to sensitiveness of the bag. 
When milked for two or three days the swelling disap- 
pears after the secretion is fully established, but as a rule 
is tinged with blood. Sometimes small clots of milk or 
cheese-like particles are ejected with the milk. 

Treatment. — Give a physic consisting of Aloin, 
two drams ; Pulv. Ginger, three drams. Place in gelatin 
capsule and give with capsule gun: Hyposulphite of 
Soda, sixteen ounces; Nitrate of Potassi, four ounces. 
Mix and make into sixteen powders. Give one powder 
three times a day in drinking water or place in gelatin 
capsule and give with capsule gun. Also dissolve Bi- 
chloride of Mercury, two grains; Boracic Acid, two 
drams, in one quart of boiling hot water. When this 
solution cools to about blood temperature, after strip- 
ping all milk fluid or pus from the affected teat or teats, 
inject with an ordinary bulb injection syringe after 
placing a teat tube into the end from which the air 
escapes when the bulb is pressed. Now, place the end 
of the sja'inge retaining the teat tube in the affected 
teat, the other end place in a bottle or vessel containing 
the solution and gently press the bulb and inject about 
a pint of the solution in each affected quarter. Leave 
the solution in the teat for only fifteen to twenty minutes 
and milk out thoroughly. Repeat this treatment two or 
three times a day. 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 41 

For an external application the following ointment 
has given remarkably good results: Blue Ointment and 
Zinc Ointment, equal parts. Mix well and apply two 
or three times daily. 

HARD MILKERS. 

Cause. — A thickness or contraction of the mucous 
membranes lining the teat, or growths inside the teat. 

Treatment. — All antiseptic precautions should be 
carried out in this operation, as boiling the instruments 
and then covering them with Carbolated Vaseline. Then 
with a hidden bistoury or a knife concealed in a tube, 
force upward into the teat, then press out the little blade 
and draw the instrument down the teat, making about 
four incisions equal distance apart around the inner sur- 
face of the teat. The use of self-retaining teat dilators 
prevents the contraction of the cut surface. Permit 
them to remain in the teat for two weeks, removing them 
only when the milk is being stripped from the teat. 
Always place them in boiling water and cover with Car- 
bolated Vaseline before inserting. 

HOLLOW HORN. 

Horns of the cattle tribe are normally hollow, 
although a core extends well into the horn. This, how- 
ever, is mereh'- a prolongation of a porous bone of the 
head which affords a point for the horns' attachment, 
consequent^ when a cow is sick and the temperature is 
elevated, the horns are naturally hot, it being the symp- 
tom of a disease and not a disease of itself, should be 
treated under its special heading. 

The supposed disease "Hollow Horn" once upon a 
time was treated by boring a hole into the horn with a 
small gimlet and pouring Turpentine into the opening. 
This treatment is useless and harmful. It produces in- 



42 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

flammation of the frontal sinuses of the head and 
chances are death of the animal will follow as a result of 
the treatment and not of the disease. 

INDIGESTION. 

Cause. — Animals with a voracious appetite will over- 
load their stomachs with food that is hard to digest or is 
decomposed, causing the organs of assimilation to be- 
come weakened, sluggish and incapable of doing their 
proper work. 

Symptoms.^ — The animal ceases to ruminate (chew 
its cud) ; stands quietly, hair rough, nose dry, tempera- 
ture elevated one to two degrees, breathing usually faster 
than normal with slight grunts at each expiration of air 
from the lungs. The secretions of milk are suddenly 
diminished. If the hand is placed against the left side 
and quickl}^ removed, a marked depression or pit will 
remain, which shows that the paunch is full of undigested 
food. Bloating is also frequently accompanied by in- 
digestion. 

Treatment. — Administer Aloin, three drams ; Gin- 
ger, three drams. Place in capsule and give with capsule 
gun. Permit the animal to drink all the water possible. 
If bloating is present give two-ounce capsules filled with 
Turpentine with capsule gun. A tonic is quite necessary 
in this condition, and the following T am sure will be 
followed by good results if the case is not of too long a 
standing: Sodium Bicarbonate, eight ounces; Pulv. Nux 
Vomica, four ounces ; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces ; 
Pulv. Ginger, four ounces. Place two tablespoonfuls in 
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun every six 
hours. Very good results are also obtained from rectal 
in j ections of soap and warm water. Feed good nourish- 
ing food sparing^, compelling the animal to exercise, 
etc. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 43 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BAG, 

{Simple Mammitis) 

Cause. — Injuries, as blows, kicks, etc. ; lying on cold, 
rough ground or floor, standing in drafts, sudden change 
of weather. Derangement of the system is likely to af- 
fect the udder ; poorly milked or stripped cows are often 
victims of Mammitis. Infections in the teat from insert- 
ing dirty instruments, as using a bicycle pump for the 
treatment of Milk Fever. Cows with a retained after- 
birth are likety to infect the udder by switching their 
tail. This condition is very common in heavy milkers 
following calving. 

Symptoms. — The animal chills, hair stands, tempera- 
ture elevated from one to three degrees above normal; 
ears, horns and legs cold, which may suddenly become 
very hot; pulse rapid, breathing hurried, bag hard and 
swollen and very tender on pressure. When attempts are 
made to milk, a watery substance comes away, almost 
colorless at first, but later becomes tinged with blood and 
pus and has a fetid color. The cow's muzzle is dry, appe- 
tite poor, but great thirst exists. This condition may 
affect one or more quarters of the udder. Abscesses may 
form and the udder break and a thick yellowish pus oozes 
out or the milk glands may solidify and cause hard, 
lumpy growths in the udder. 

Treatment. — Prevention. If an animal is once 
slightly affected with inflammation of the bag, it is likely 
to develop a bad case of Mammitis from the slightest 
injury or exposure as stated above, which depreciates 
a cow considerably as a milk producer, especially on the 
market. Great care should be exercised when purchas- 
ing a cow for milking purposes. See that the teats and 
udder are sound, free from lumps, etc. 

Medical Treatment. — Hyposulphite of Soda, six- 
teen ounces ; Nitrate of Potassi, four ounces. Mix and 



44 DISEASES or CATTLE 

make into sixteen powders. Give one powder three times 
a day in drinking water or place in a gelatin capsule and 
give with a capsule gun. Also, dissolve Bichloride of 
Mercury, two graijis; Boracic Acid, two drams, in one 
quart of boiling hot water. When this solution cools to 
about blood temperature, after stripping all milk fluid or 
pus from the affected teat or teats, inject with an ordi- 
nary bulb injection syringe after placing a teat tube 
into the end from which the air escapes when the bulb is 
pressed. Now, place this end of the syringe retaining 
the teat tube in the affected teat; the other end place in 
a bottle or vessel containing the solution and gently press 
the bulb and inject about a pint of the solution into each 
affected quarter. Leave the solution in the teat for only 
fifteen to twenty minutes and milk out thoroughly. Re- 
peat this treatment two or three times a day. 

For an external application, the following ointment 
has given remarkably good results : Blue Ointment, two 
ounces; Lard, two ounces. Mix well and apply twice 
daily. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 

( Conj unctivitis ) 

Cause. — Injuries, irritating gases, standing in dark 
and poorly ventilated stables or foreign bodies in the 
eye, as chaff, etc. 

Symptoms. — A constant flow of tears from the eye 
running down the animal's face, which are due to the in- 
flammation of the lining membranes of the eye. The eye 
is partially or completely closed. 

Treatment. — If due to a foreign body, remove it. 
In order to accomplish this, the animal must be placed in 
a stanchion, the head twisted and the eyelid turned back. 
Do not use burnt alum as this will onty make the condi- 
tion worse. Use Boracic Acid, thirty grains; distilled 
water, one ounce. Apply to the eye three or four times 
daily, using an ordinary eye-dropper. 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 45 

INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART SACK. 

(Pericarditis) 

Cause. — Cattle being ruminants, do not masti- 
cate their food finely before swallowing; consequent- 
ly foreign bodies, such as nails, wire, etc., are picked up 
with the food and taken into the rumen or paunch. These 
sharp objects penetrate the walls of the paunch, rumen 
or first stomach and pierce the membrane or sack sur- 
rounding the heart, which produces an inflammation of 
the heart sack, or Pericarditis. 

Symptoms. — Sj^mptoms develop very slowly or in- 
dications of indigestion will be present as the appetite is 
variable, temperature elevated, breathing labored, the 
animal avoids walking down hill as it causes pain from 
the stomach and intestines pressing the lungs against 
the heart. The symptoms, however, are so slight that 
they may easily escape the notice of a casual observel*. 
The animal eventually becomes poor, emaciated and dies. 
If you open the heart sack, it will be found full of 
watery pus. 

Treatment. — Unsuccessful, as this disease is seldom 
diagnosed correctly, and if it is an operation is neces- 
sary and this does not prove successful in the majority 
of cases. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

Cause. — ^^In juries in the region of the kidneys, ex- 
posure to cold weather, especially in cows soon after calv- 
ing. Eating poisonous plants, decomposed food or drink- 
ing stagnant water, irritating medicines given ignorant- 
ly of their bad effects are frequently followed by inflam- 
mation of the kidneys. 

Symptoms. — The attack will first be noticed by 
slight shivering or chilling followed by an increased tem- 



46 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

perature, breathing increased. The animal attempts to 
urinate frequently and the amount passed is small and 
of a dark amber color and may be flaked with blood. 
There will be stiffness and straddling of the hind legs 
which is always present during urinary disorders. There 
may be slight swelling and tenderness over the kidneys. 
As the disease progresses the animal grows weak and 
finally dies if prompt relief is not afforded. Fortunately 
this disease is not common among cattle. 

Treatment. — Clothe the animal if the weather is 
cold. Mild physics are beneficial, as Aloin. one and one- 
half drams; Ginger, two drams; Nux Vomica, two 
drams, placed in a gelatin capsule and given with capsule 
gun. Also, the following, which is very soothing to the 
urinary tract: Potassiimi Acetate, Potassium Bromide, 
each four ounces, made into sixteen powders. Give one 
powder every four hours in their drinking water. Feed 
nitrogenous food as hot wheat bran mashes, steamed 
rolled oats, and see that the animal has pure water to 
drink. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE PENIS. 

Cause. — Injuries received from snags, walking 
through underbrush, jumping fences, etc. 

Symptoms. — Arched back, swelling of the sheath and 
in some cases a discharge. It may be serious enough to 
affect the appetite and cause fever. 

Treatment. — Wash out the sheath two or three 
times daily with a three per cent solution of Boracic Acid. 
If the inflammation extends pretty well back in the 
sheath, it is advisable to inject this solution with a sy- 
ringe, carefully, as far back as possible. Withdraw the 
syringe, holding the opening of the sheath so as to re- 
tain the solution for a few minutes before allowing it to 
escape. 

Feed laxative food and supply the animal with fresh 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 47 

water to drink. If there is considerable fever, administer 
Potassium Nitrate, Pulv. Nux Vomica, each two ounces. 
Make into eight capsules and give one capsule two or 
three times a day. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 

Cause. — Injuries, as bruises, laceration, sustained 
during calving, especially where the cow is assisted with 
instruments or hands that are not thoroughly aseptic, an 
animal retaining the afterbirth which undergoes putre- 
faction, and consequently sets up an inflammation of the 
womb, or perhaps the animal may become infected dur- 
ing the act of removing the afterbirth if the operator is 
neglectful about washing his hands or M^ashing the womb 
out thoroughly. 

Symptoms. — The animal will chill, the temperature 
elevated two or three degrees, the back will be arched, 
stiffness of the hind parts, legs, ears and horns cold, nose 
hot and dry, grinding of the teeth, the cow usually re- 
mains standing, ceases to chew her cud, the secretions of 
milk will be markedly reduced and a day or so after the 
symptoms appear, there will be a discharge from the 
womb of a reddish lumpy nature. This becomes thick 
and yellow containing small particles of flesh, showing 
that the inner lining of the womb is sloughing. This 
discharge is very offensive in odor. A cow in this condi- 
tion requires the best of care or she will die as the de- 
composed substance in the womb may be absorbed into 
the circulation and produce Pyemia or Septicemia 
(Blood Poison). 

Treatment. — Give Aloin, two drams ; Pulv. Ginger, 
three drams, place in a gelatin capsule and give with 
capsule gun. Flush out the womb throroughly with a 
tablespoonful of Carbolic Acid to one gallon of water 
two or three times a day. A convenient instrimient for 
flushing out the womb can be made from an ordinary 



48 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

funnel and a clean hose about four feet long. This an- 
swers the purpose of an injection syringe very well. In 
their drinking water add the following : Hyposulphite 
of Soda, sixteen ounces; Potassium Iodide, two ounces. 
Make into sixteen powders and give one powder two or 
three times a day. 

lln addition to the above treatment it is necessary to 
give alteratives and bitter tonics to build up the condi- 
tion of the animal as soon as possible. The following 
will be found very effective : Pulv. Gentian Root, four 
ounces; Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces; Nitrate of 
Potash, four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen powders 
and give one powder three times a day. Place in a 
gelatin capsule and administer with a capsule gun. 

My reasons for giving animals medicine in capsules 
are: 

1. There is no danger of liquids escaping into the 
lungs, as in drenching. 

2. Any drug having any beneficial effects as a tonic 
is very bitter, consequently the only way the animal will 
take it is by placing in capsule. 

JOINT ILL, NAVEL ILL. 

(Umbilical Pyemia and Septicemia) 

Cause. — This disease is produced by various germs 
entering the navel cord of newly born calves when 
dropped, the navel being freshly severed and coming 
in contact with filth and manure where germs are nu- 
merous, consequently germs adhere and enter the blood 
stream. Calf Scours as a rule is associated with this 
disease. 

Symptoms. — Swelling of the joints which are very 
hot and painful on pressure, and when the calf is made to 
move it walks stiffly and slowly, does not care to nurse its 
mother or take any food, temperature elevated from 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 49 

105° to 108° F., breathing hurried, pulse very weak and 
quick. There will be an offensive discharge from the 
navel cord of a yellowish color and swollen joints finally 
break and also discharge a thick yellow pus. The calf 
becomes emaciated and finally dies from exhaustion. 

Treatment. — Prevention. Provide clean surround- 
ings for cows when calving, and in addition to this have a 
one in one-thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury 
on hand. Wash the navel well in the solution once a day 
until the cord is thoroughly dried. 

Medical Treatment. — Unsuccessful. Sometimes 
the calf recovers, but at best the calf is badly stunted and 
is very seldom worth keeping. However, the following 
method of treatment has been followed with fairly good 
results: Wash the navel cord well in a one-thousandth 
solution of Bichloride of Mercury two or three times a 
day and give Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one-fourth grain; 
Potassi Iodide, five grains, in a little water or milk three 
or four times a day. Feed them three or four eggs a day, 
molasses, fresh milk. This will keep up the strength and 
vitality and a good recovery may follow, although it is an 
exception and not a rule. 

LACERATION OF THE EYELID. 

Cause. — An eyelid may be torn on the manger, rub- 
bing post or barb wire fence, etc. 

Treatment. — Wash the lacerated portions of the 
eye thoroughly with a five per cent solution of Carbolic 
Acid. It may be necessary to take a few stitches in the 
wound or the torn edges may be cut off with a pair of 
sharp scissors. If stitches have been taken, they should 
be removed after the parts have united and the eye kept 
clean. A very convenient application for the eye in this 
condition is Boracic Acid, one dram; Distilled Water, 
four ounces. Apply liberally to the eye. 



50 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

LEECHES. 

{Blood Suckers) 

Leeches which suck blood of cattle are sometimes tak- 
en up by the animals when drinkig water from ponds, 
etc. The leeches attach themselves to the inner surface 
of the mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper 
part of windpipe or the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or 
nose may be noticed, the membranes where the leeches 
attach themselves become congested and swollen, and as 
a result of the loss of blood anemic condition follows. 

Treatment. — If the leeches can be reached, they are 
easily destroyed by cutting them in two with a pair of 
scissors or they may be removed with a pair of forceps or 
with the fingers after wrapping a piece of cloth around 
them so as to prevent slipping. 

Steam from boiling hot water containing Pine Tar or 
Oil or Turpentine may cause leeches to release their hold 
if they cannot be removed by other means. In ponds 
where leeches are numerous, eels should be introduced 
as they feed upon blood suckers of this species. 

LUMPY JAW. 
{Wooden Tongue ^ Big Head, Actinomycosis) 

Cause. — The Ray Fungus. This organism which oc- 
curs in the tissues in the form of russets is directly trans- 
mitted from one animal to another. It seems apparent 
that the fungus is conveyed into the tissues of the mouth 
by various food stuff through slight wounds of the muc- 
ous membranes of the mouth or an animal that has de- 
cayed teeth or during the shedding of milk teeth. The 
Ray Fungus is found naturally vegetated or clinging on 
the awns of barley, the spears of oats and on other grains. 
Qunatities of fungi have been found between the vege- 



CAUSE,, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 51 

table fibers of barley which had penetrated the gums 
of cattle and on the awns of grain imbedded in their 
tongues. 

Lumpy Jaw can also be transmitted by coming in 
contact with or eating food over which lumpy jawed cat- 
tle have slobbered. A healthy animal eating such food 
with very shght bruises or abrasions of the mouth will 
contract the disease very readily. This disease is mis- 
leading as other organs are affected with the Ray Fungi 
or the Bacillus of Actinomycosis, as the lungs and even 
the digestive organs have been found to be affected with 
this disease. 

Symptoms. — External symptoms or signs are the 
only means by which to ascertain the disease. Its exact 
location is on the lower j aw bone near its angle. It may 
also affect the upper jaw, but this is an exception and 
not a rule. Internally it may affect the tongue, mouth, 
throat or lungs, but rarely the intestines. This enlarge- 
ment continues to grow until it reaches the size of that of 
a man's head, breaks and discharges pus. The animal be- 
comes poor and emaciated, the hair takes on a dull rough- 
ened appearance and in many cases it is very difficult 
for it to eat, especially where the disease separates the 
gums and bone from the teeth and causes them to become 
very loose or to drop out. The animal in the latter stages 
of this disease generally dies from starvation. 

Treatment. — Successful in its first stages. Soft, 
nitrogenous food should be fed, such as wheat bran 
mashes, steamed rolled oats or barley, hay dampened 
with clean water, so as to make it pliable. Hay contain- 
ing woody matter as stems, etc., should not be fed to an 
animal affected with Lumpy Jaw as it tends to aggra- 
vate the disease. Internally in their drinking water give 
two drams of Potassium Iodide morning and night. 
This treatment, however, should be omitted when the 
animal's skin becomes scaly or when an excessive watery 
discharge flows from the eyes. On the outer surface 
over the enlargement apply the following ointment: 



52 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

Red Iodide of Mercury, four drams; Lard, two ounces. 
Mix well and rub in briskly for twenty minutes every 
five or six days for three weeks. The cure can generally 
be ascertained by the animal gaining in flesh, although 
the lump may remain. Where Lumpy Jaw is of long 
standing so as to impair the use of the animal's tongue 
or teeth, it is best to destroy the animal, as this lessens 
the possibility of infecting healthy animals. 

LUNG FEVER. 

(Pneumonia) 

Cause. — Generally follows congestion of the lungs. 
It may be due to parasitic organisms or exposure to cold, 
drafts when warm after being driven, etc. Drenching 
perhaps is the most common cause as it is very difficult 
for a cow to swallow when the head is elevated ; inhaling 
smoke, gases, etc., also tend to produce pneumonia. 

Symptoms. — Chilling or shivering, temperature ele- 
vated to 105° or 106° F., nose hot and dry, horns and 
legs cold. Pulse rapid though strong, breathing fast and 
the appetite very good in some cases. The animal uri- 
nates small quantities of urine but often, of a dark amber 
color. A discharge from the nose follows, also a cough. 
If the ear is placed back of the fore leg, a dry crackling 
sound can be heard something on the order of rubbing 
hair between the fingers. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a dry, well lighted 
and ventilated stable, but avoid drafts. Give Pulv. Io- 
dide of Ammonia, one ounce ; Pulv. Potassium Nitrate, 
four ounces ; Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces ; Pulv. Cap- 
sicum, one ounce; Quinine, one ounce. Mix well and 
make into thirty-two powders. Place one powder in 
gelatin capsule and administer every three or four hours 
with capsule gun. Supply the animal with fresh water 
at all times. Feed laxative food as hot wheat bran 
mashes or steamed rolled oats. Also feed vegetables, 
such as potatoes, apples, carrots and kale. It is also ad- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 53 

visable to apply the following over the region of the 
lungs just back of the fore legs : Aqua Ammonia Fort., 
four ounces ; Oil or Turpentine, four ounces ; Raw Lin- 
seed Oil, six ounces. Mix and shake well and apply two 
or three times daily. It is also advisable to hand rub the 
legs and bandage them with woolen cloths. 

If the above treatment is properly carried out, the 
animal will make a complete recovery in a week or ten 
days. 

LOSS OF CUD. 

Cause. — This condition cannot always be traced to a 
definite cause, as it is a symptom of all diseases where 
the process of rumination is interfered with. The only 
method by which a cow will again chew her cud is to re- 
store her to health by the proper medical treatment. 
Artificial cuds are of no value and frequently are a det- 
riment to the animal. Other symptoms aside from those 
of the animal not chewing cud will always make their 
appearance, as constipation, diarrhoea, elevation of the 
temperature, etc. The animal should be thoroughly ex- 
amined and the disease treated under its special head- 
ing. 

MANGE. 
(Scabies) 

Cause. — There are four different parasites which 
produce Mange or Scabies in cattle. However, three of 
these parasites are rarely seen. The Symbotis Com- 
munis is the parasite commonly seen in American cat- 
tle. These parasites multiply very rapidly and are con- 
veyed from diseased animals to healthy ones by their 
bodies coming in contact with one another and by healthy 
animals rubbing against fences, walls, posts, etc., where 
mangy cattle have previously rubbed. 

Symptoms. — Scabs, loss of hair, intense itching, the 



54 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

animals are constantly rubbing or licking themselves. 
The parts showing the first signs of Mange are those 
about the croup, or the root of the tail, the neck and 
withers, but as the disease progresses and no attempts 
are offered for its eradication, it finally spreads and 
covers the entire body. The scabs become ulcerated, the 
animal becomes weakened, emaciated and eventually dies. 

Treatment. — Dipping in wood or concrete vats is 
the most satisfactory method of treating Mange. The 
regular lime and sulphur dip as recommended by the 
United States Bureau of Animal Industry is inexpensive 
and effective. 

MEASLY BEEF. 

It is produced by a larva of common tapeworm of 
man. These small tapeworm cysts (taenia saginata) are 
about the size of a pea and found in the flesh of cattle, 
which become infected by eating food or drinking water 
which has been contaminated by the feces of persons 
harboring adult tapeworms. Then again, the person be- 
comes infected by eating raw or rare flesh of cattle in- 
fected with the larva stage of Measly Beef. Great care 
should be exercised to prevent cattle from becoming in- 
fested with this parasite. Persons' feces should not be 
placed where it will infect food or drinking water that 
is consumed by cattle. 

MILK FEVER. 

{Parturient Apoplexy) 

Cause. — Certain conditions predispose cows to Milk 
Fever, as being heavy milk producers, cows having enor- 
mous digestive power and being heavily fed on nitrog- 
enous food naturally are in a good condition, conse- 
quently at the time of calving, or shortly after, they are 
likely to develop a case of Milk Fever. It is more com- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 



5S 



mon during the summer months, although this condition 
may develop at any time of the year in the type of cow 
described above. 

Symptoms. — At or a few days after calving, the cow 
is noticed hanging back in the stall, dull, languid, with 
an unsteady movement of the hind legs. If the cow is 
made to walk, she steps unsteadily or staggers, pays no 
attention to her calf; she finally becomes so paralyzed 
that she falls and is unable to rise. The pupils of the 
eyes are dilated and the membranes reddened or congest- 
ed with blood. The cow may lie on her breast or flat on 
her side, but most likely upon her breast and her head 
turned in the region of the flank. She apparently is 
sound asleep. If the eyeball is touched with the fingers 
she does not close the eye, nor will she evince any pain 
when being pricked with a pin on any part of the body. 
The nose is dry, the temperature is below normal in most 
cases. 

Treatment. — When the above signs are noticed, 
whether the cow is standing or lying down in a paralyzed 
condition, obtain an ordinary bulb injection syringe; in- 
sert a tube in the end from which the air escapes. After 
washing both syringe and teat tube in a five per cent so- 
lution of Carbolic Acid, milk or strip out all the milk 
possible from the bag, then insert the teat tube that is 
connected to the syringe in each teat, filling them well 
with air, and repeat this treatment every hour until the 
cow stops staggering, or if lying down, stands on her 
feet. It is necessary to strip the milk from the bag be- 
fore giving an injection of air. If the cow is lying flat 
on her side, prop her up by placing bags of hay or straw 
against her side, also make her as comfortable as pos- 
sible. If lying in the hot sun, provide shade by placing 
a canopy over her made from burlap; if the weather is 
chilly, blanket ; if flies annoj^ her, use some fly repellant. 

This disease is satisfactorily treated. Where ninety 
per cent of the cows died at one time, ninety per cent 
can be saved by the above treatment. It is a custom with 



56 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

some people to use an ordinary bicycle pump for treat- 
ment of Slilk Fever. This should not be practiced, as 
there is great danger of infecting the bag and producing 
serious complication. 

Medical or After Treatment. — Never drench a 
cow. Give physic consisting of Aloin, two drams ; Gin- 
ger, three drams. Place in a gelatin capsule and give 
with a capsule gun. Also, give tonics as Pulv. Gentian 
Root, two ounces ; Pulv. Capsicum, one ounce ; Pulv. Nux. 
Vomica, two ounces. Mix and place into eight gelatin 
capsules. Give one capsule every eight hours. This 
tonic is quite necessary, as it stimulates their appetite, 
braces up their nervous system and prevents any compli- 
cations that might otherwise follow. 

PARALYSIS. 

(Congestion of the Brain or Spinal Cord) 

Cause — May be due to a morbid condition of the 
brain or spinal cord, concussion of the spinal cord, frac- 
tures of the bones of the spinal column, or violent shocks 
or jars of the brain, or pressure due to fractures of the 
skull, or dilated or ruptured blood vessels. Paralysis 
also occurs in poorly fed, weak cows when exposed to 
cold or wet weather during the latter stages of preg- 
nancy. Sometimes the back portion of the bowels (the 
rectum) becomes paralyzed so as to interfere with the 
expulsion of the feces which becomes dry and more or 
less impacted. This condition may also occur in connec- 
tion with Ergot, Forage or Lead Poisoning, Milk Fever 
or Parturient Apoplexy. 

Symptoms. — Appear very suddenly. The animal is 
unable to stand, lies quietly and groans occasionally. 
Constipation generally accompanies this condition. 
Sometimes great pain is present, especially if due to 
fracture or pressure, as above mentioned. 

Treatment. — If just due to weakness; exposure to 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 57 

cold, wet weather; cows prior to calving; slight injuries 
or mild effect of poisons, it is successfully treated by plac- 
ing the animal in a comfortable, well lighted stall, omit- 
ting drafts, feeding nourishing food, as warm wheat bran 
mashes, steamed rolled oats or barley and linseed meal ; 
tea to drink prepared as follows: Pour one quart of 
boiling water on one-half pint of Pure Flaxseed, allow- 
ing it to cool, compel the animal to drink it. Repeat 
this once or twice daily, especially if the animal is preg- 
nant. A physic consisting of Aloin, two drams ; Ginger, 
two drams; prepared in capsule and given with a cap- 
sule gun is very effective, but this, however, should not 
be administered to heavily pregnant cows. Endeavor 
to move their bowels by careful feeding of laxative food 
and rectal injections of soda and water. Nerve stimu- 
lants are necessary and I have derived good results from 
the following: Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. 
Ginger, four ounce; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces. 
Make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule every 
four to six hours. Also apply powdered mustard, mois- 
tened with a sufficient quantity of water to make a paste, 
and rub over the full length of the spine about eight 
inches in width. This should be covered with paper 
which will adhere readily to the mustard and water. 
This application can be repeated every twenty- four hours 
until satisfactory results have been obtained. 

RED WATER. 

(Hematuria) 

Cause. — Marshy pastures, water from rich decom- 
posed soil. Vegetation also has a tendency to produce 
it as cattle eating green shoots from oak, ash, hellebore, 
hazel and other resinous plants, etc. 

Symptoms. — Bloody urine containing no blood clots. 
This condition is not noticed as a general rule until the 
cow loses flesh and the production of milk is considerably 
decreased. One particular symptom of this disease is 



58 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

the milk being exceptionally foamy and perhaps tinged 
with blood. 'If the disease is left to run its course, the 
cow will become emaciated and eventually dies. 

Treatment. — Find out the cause and remove it if 
possible. See that the water supply is clean, feed nitrog- 
enous food, as wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats. 
Do not permit the animal to eat resinous plants as stated 
above. 

Administer Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces ; Pulv. 
Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four 
ounces. Mix and make into sixteen capsules and give 
one capsule two or three times a day with capsule gun. 
If the animal is constipated, give two drams of Aloin, 
three drams of Ginger. Place in capsule and give with 
capsule gun. 

RETAINED AFTERBIRTH. 

Cause. — Retained afterbirth may follow normal or 
abnormal calving where there has been more or less in- 
flammation of the womb prior to giving birth, which 
causes the afterbirth to adhere firmly to its attachments. 
Cows in poor condition fed on poor food during cold 
weather are very susceptible to this accident; also very 
common in aged cows. 

Symptoms. — Very easily detected by portions of the 
membranes (afterbirth) protruding from the Womb or 
Vulva, which becomes decomposed very shortly and of- 
fensive in odor. This accident is very serious when ab- 
sorption is produced, ill health, drying up of the milk in 
addition to producing inflammation of the womb, 
Whites, etc. It may produce blood-poisoning and 
chances are you will lose your animal. 

Prevention. — Very important. Feed the cow on 
food that is easily digested and supply her with fresh 
water to drink that is not too cold. Flaxseed Tea is very 
beneficial if given a day or so prior to calving and is 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 59 

prepared by pouring a quart of boiling hot water on one- 
half pint of Flaxseed, permitting it to cool of its own ac- 
cord. Then compel the animal to drink it. This ap- 
pears to have a very good effect on separating the after- 
birth from the mushroom-like bodies of the womb to 
which it is attached. 

Medical Treatment. — The afterbirth should not 
be pulled away by force, as it may tear, leaving small 
portions unremoved that perhaps would result in In- 
flammation of the Womb or Whites. To remove the 
afterbirth insert the hand and carefully detach it from its 
attachments, being very careful that the coyledons are 
not torn off. After this has been carefully removed, 
wash out the womb with Carbolic Acid solution about 
two and one-half per cent. An instrument can be made 
for this purpose very easily from a clean piece of hose 
about four feet long and an ordinary funnel. Sometimes 
it is necessary to give physics, as Aloin, two drams ; Gin- 
ger, two drams. Place in a gelatin capsule and give with 
a capsule gun. 

In addition to the above, stimulants are also advis- 
able such as powdered Nux Vomica, powdered Capsi- 
cum, powdered Ginger, powdered Nitrate of Potash, 
equal parts four ounces. Make twenty-four capsules 
and give one capsule three times a day. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Cause. — Exposure, especially when the animal is 
permitted to lie on cold damp soils or floors. Another 
common cause is an animal exposed to cold drafts after 
perspiring or weakened after severe physical exercise. 

Symptom. — Stiffness when walking, variable appe- 
tite, constipation, hair unthrifty looking. Passage of 
urine is scant and of an amber color, usually slight ele- 
vation in temperature and the animal lies down a great 
part of the time. There are two forms of rheumatism — 
muscular and articular. The former affects the muscles 



60 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

of the body, while the latter affects the joints. There 
will be swellings that are tender on pressure, which may- 
shift to different parts of the body. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in warm dry quar- 
ters with a sufficient quantity of clean bedding. Feed 
foods that are easily digested, as wheat bran mashes and 
steamed rolled oats and vegetables. Keep pure, cold 
water within the animal's reach at all times. The fol- 
lowing prescription has been found very effective in the 
treatment of this disease : Sodium Salicylate, six ounces ; 
Nux Vomica, two ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, two 
ounces ; Nitrate of Potash, two ounces. Mix and make 
into sixteen capsules and give one capsule three times 
daily with capsule gun. If the bowels are constipated 
give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, three drams. Place in 
capsule and give with capsule gun. When the joints or 
muscles become swollen and inflammed, the following 
liniment will be found very effective in reducing 
the swellings: Aqua Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Oil 
of Turpentine, three ounces ; Sweet Oil, six ounces. Mix 
and apply by rubbing in well two or three times a day. 

RINGWORM. 

Cause. — ^Due to a vegetable parasite. It affects the 
hair and the outer layer of skin and is highly infectious, 
being transmitted from one animal to another. 

Symptoms. — The disease usually appears in the form 
of circular patches of the skin, which soon become de- 
nuded of hair. Sometimes a white sticky discharge and 
the formation of scaly, brittle crusts on the patches ap- 
pear, silvery gray in color. They are generally confined 
to the head and neck. It is a common disease among 
young cattle in the Winter and Spring. This disease is 
attended with more or less itching and is communicable 
to man. 

Treatment. — Remove the scabs or crusts with soap 
and warm water. However, the surface of the body 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 61 

should be well dried after washing each time. Apply 
Tincture of Iodine with a camel-hair brush to the spots 
denuded of hair. It is quite necessary that the barn and 
rubbing posts be disinfected by spraying or washing 
them with a twenty-five per cent solution of Carbolic 
Acid. 

ROUND WORM. 

Cause. — An animal swallowing the eggs of the para- 
site in food or water which has been contaminated with 
the feces of infected cattle. There are two species, the 
large Roundworm measuring from five to fourteen 
inches in length, the small Roundworm varying in 
size from one-quarter of an inch to two inches in length. 
Both the small and large Roundworms infest the intes- 
tines of cattle and calves. These worms, especially small 
Roundworms, irritate the mucous lining of the intes- 
tines, which may cause severe inflammation. 

Symptoms. — Anemia, appetite variable, diarrhoea, 
general weakness, dullness and excessive thirst; also a 
paleness of the visible membranes of the mouth, nose and 
eye. Worms frequently pass with the feces and can be 
readily seen by a close observer. 

Preventive Treatment. — See prevention of 
Twisted Stomach Worm. 

Medical Treatment. — ^Withhold all food from 
eighteen to twenty-four hours. To calves, two to eight 
months old, give two teaspoonfuls of Turpentine in a 
pint of milk ; to yearlings, give one tablespoonf ul. Place 
in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. To cattle 
one year old and over place one ounce in a gelatin cap- 
sule and give with capsule gun. This treatment is to be 
repeated twice during the intervals of ten days or two 
weeks, which insures the expulsion of the eggs of worms 
that escaped the first treatment. Also keep salt where 
cattle can lick frequently. 



62 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

RUPTURE. 

(Abdominal Hernia) 

Cause. — This disease occasionally occurs in calves by- 
receiving blows from the cow's horns on the right flank. 
After such an accident a swelling forms near the last 
ribs. This swelling may be either hot and painful or soft 
to the touch. It can be made to disappear by careful 
pressure when the sides of the rupture through which 
it has passed can be felt. On removing the pressure the 
rupture soon regains its swollen appearance. Similar 
conditions may also occur in aged cattle, usually due 
to injuries, such as being kicked by a horse, etc., or due 
to a weakness of the muscles that are ruptured some- 
times during difficult birth. 

Treatment. — Feed the animal on laxative food and 
feed sparingly on bulky food such as hay, straw and 
grass. Round the edges of a block of wood a little 
smaller, but the same shape as the rupture. After wrap- 
ping with cloth nicely, place it over the rupture, then 
place bandage around the body. This permits the rup- 
tured muscles to grow together, providing the animal is. 
properly dieted as stated above. 

Sometimes a rupture of long standing or a newly 
produced rupture may be treated by injecting strong 
solutions of Common Salt around the torn edges of the 
muscles. This causes the swelling and inflammation, 
which respectively forces the protruded intestines back 
and closes the opening. There is some danger attached 
to this method of treatment, and if attempted I would 
advise that great care be exercised. 

SCUM OVER THE EYE. 

Cause. — See Inflammation of the Eye. 

Symptoms. — The eye has a smoke-colored appear- 
ance. 



CAtJSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 63 

Treatment. — Silver Nitrate, two grains, thorough- 
ly dissolved in one ounce of Distilled Water. Apply 
with dropper two or three times a day. Feed the animal 
on food that is easih^ digested and confine the animal to 
a cool, clean, dark stall. 

SORE THROAT. 

(Laryngitis and Pharyngitis) 

Cause. — Sudden cooling of the surface of the body, 
as when cattle are exposed to cold weather or cold rain 
or the inlialing of irritating gases. 

Symptoms. — The muzzle is dry, temperature slightly 
elevated and saliva dribbles from the corners of the 
mouth. The animal either does not swallow, or swallows 
with great difficulty, and holds its head in a stiff, straight 
position, moving it as little as possible. The eyelids are 
half -closed and bloodshot, and the animal occasionally 
grinds the teeth. After masticating the food the animal 
drops it out of its mouth as if to avoid the pain of swal- 
lowing, and also evinces great pain when pressure is 
applied from the outside. In acute attacks of sore 
throat, the animal coughs with great difficulty and 
breathes very noisily. The nostrils are dilated and nose 
extended. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in as comfortable a 
place as possible, permitting plenty of fresh air, but avoid 
ing drafts. Blanket the animal if the weather is chilly, 
also hand rub the legs and bandage with woolen cloths. 

Administer Chlorate of Potash, two ounces ; Nitrate 
of Potash, two ounces; Tannic Acid, one-half ounce; 
Molasses, eight ounces. ]Mix well and place one table- 
spoonful on the tongue every three or four hours. Feed 
soft food, as wheat bran mashes and steamed rolled oats, 
or boiled vegetables. Give drinking water with the chill 
taken off. 

It is always necessary to apply liniments to the 



64 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

throat, and I would advise the application of Aqua Am- 
monia Fort., four ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four 
ounces, and Sweet Oil, four ounces. Apply and rub in 
well two or three times a day. 

STRINGY MILK. 

Cause. — Cows wading or standing in stagnant pools 
of water. Frequently stringy milk results from fungi 
entering the udder. This takes on an infectious form, 
and several cows may become affected at one time. 

Symptoms. — Although the milk appear perfectly 
normal when first milked, it becomes stringy after stand- 
ing for a few hours. If a needle is inserted in the 
milk and slov/ly withdrawn, the milk will adhere to the 
point and have a stringy appearance. If the cow is ex- 
amined carefully, the temperature will be found to be 
elevated a degree or two, the appetite poor and the nose 
dry. 

Treatment. — Feed laxative food and see that they 
have fresh water to drink. Also place two drams of 
Soda Bisulphite once or twice a day in a gelatin capsule 
and give with capsule gun. Do not permit the cow to 
come in contact with stagnant pools of water that carry 
this infection. Perhaps the best plan is to fence out all 
such stagnant pools of water. 

SUPPRESSION OF MILK. 

{Absence of Milk) 

Cause. — Usually due to poor health, debility, ema- 
ciated, chronic disease of the bag, or wasting of its 
glands from various diseases or impure food. Some- 
times this condition is produced without any apparent 
cause. 

Treatment. — Determine the cause, if possible, and 
remove it. Feed warm wheat bran mashes, steamed 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 65 

rolled oats or barley. Administer Pulv. Anise Seed, one- 
half ounce, two or three times a day. This has a very 
good effect in this particular condition. Also rub the 
bag and strip the teats often, and apply Oil of Lavender. 
The majority of cases respond to this treatment if not 
due to chronic disease of the bag. 

TAPEWORM. 

Cause. — Small portions of tapeworms, consisting of 
one or more segments, are occasionally seen in the drop- 
pings of infected cattle. The infection is undoubtedly 
taken in with the food or water, infection being spread 
by the eggs of the parasite, and being expelled with the 
feces of an infected animal. The eggs being swallowed 
by insects, worms or snails, which act as an intermediate 
host, and which when swallowed accidentally by cattle 
while grazing or drinking carry with them into the ani- 
mal's stomach the infectious stage of the tapeworm. 
Aged cattle do not seem to suffer much from tapeworms, 
but in calves these parasites cause scours and rapid 
emaciation. 

Symptoms. — Emaciation, diarrhoea, loss of flesh, 
ravenous appetite, paleness of the mucous membranes of 
the mouth and eyes, and the segments of the tapeworms 
can occasionally be seen in the droppings. 

Treatment. — Withhold all food from eighteen to 
twenty-four hours, and to calves from two to eight 
months old give two teaspoonfuls of gasolene in a pint 
of milk. To yearlings, place one tablespoonful in a 
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. To cattle 
one year and over, place one ounce in capsule and give 
with capsule gun. Repeat this treatment two or three 
times during intervals of a week or two. 

TEXAS FEVER. 

Cause. — Due to a micro organism ( Pirophalasna Bi- 
genium) which imbeds itself in the red blood corpuscles. 



66 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

This disease is transmitted or scattered by means of a 
tick which drops from the affected animal. The disease 
has various names, according to the locality in which 
it appears. Among them are: Spanish Fever, Red 
Water, Black Water, Red Murrian, Australian Cattle 
Tick Fever, etc. 

Symptoms. — Loss of appetite. The animal ceases to 
ruminate or does not chew the cud, and everj^ sign of 
unthrif tiness is displayed ; a high temperature, and when 
the animal is standing the back is arched, but the animal 
however, prefers to lie down most of the time and shows 
desire for solitude. The urine is very dark in color, 
hence the name "Red or Black Water." The disease is 
usually fatal, the animal dies within a few weeks. 

Treatment. — My advice is, when this disease once 
develops, or an animal shows any of the particular signs 
that I have mentioned, examine carefully and immunize 
by the use of serums, disinfectants, etc. 

TICKS. 

Ticks are very difficult to kill, on account of their 
protected location, as ear ticks are not affected by dip- 
ping, and remedies strong enough for this purpose are 
liable to injure the animal, but these parasites may be 
expelled by pouring into the ear Carbolated Cottonseed 
Oil with favorable results. 

TUBERCULOSIS. 

Cause. — The bacilli of Tuberculosis thrive in ani- 
mals, especially those in a weakened condition, or when 
exposed to atmospheric changes, unwholesome food, 
dark and poorly ventilated stables. They gain entrance 
into the body through the lungs or the intestinal canal. 
They lodge in various portions of the lungs or intestines, 
and multiply very rapidly, causing irritations and forma- 
tions, nodules, cysts or abcesses. They are the means 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 67 

of the bacillus entering the blood, which carries the 
infection to other parts of the body, as the spleen, liver, 
udder, womb, etc. Cows affected with generalized tu- 
berculosis, that is to say the infection being confined to 
not only a small portion of the lungs, but also to any of 
the above mentioned organs, etc., may give birth to a 
calf having general tuberculosis at birth, or shortly after, 
due to the cow's blood circulating through the body of 
the calf before birth. 

Symptoms. — This disease may pass a casual observ- 
er unnoticed, although in some instances we notice a 
slight cough, unthriftiness, dullness. The coughing is 
best marked after taking a drink of water in the morning 
and then being exercised. Some animals keep up in good 
condition and look perfectly healthy while some get 
emaciated, have constipation, variable appetite, and 
sometimes growths or abcesses can be felt or seen in the 
udder or glands of the body and neck. 

However, cattle showing any weakness, or the above 
symptoms should be tested for tuberculosis by the ad- 
ministration of tuberculin. 

Treatment. — It is not advisable to treat tuberculo- 
sis. Thus far, medicine has failed to relieve the affected 
animal, or kill the bacillus of tuberculosis in a living ani- 
mal. The infected animals should be disposed of on ac- 
count of tubercular cows giving birth to tubercular 
calves, the milk being unfit for human consumption, un- 
less it is thoroughly pasteurized. Infected cattle should 
be separated from healthy ones, as the disease spreads 
very rapidly. Drinking and feeding troughs are a 
means of spreading the infection, therefore, suspected 
cases of tuberculosis should be tested and if the animals 
react, they should be slaughtered, and if the disease is 
localized, passed for human consumption. The meat of 
animals suspected of having tuberculosis, or reacting 
from tuberculin test, should be weU cooked. 



68 DISEASES OF CATTLE 



TWISTED STOMACH WORM. 

Cause. — Cattle become affected with this worm by- 
grazing in pastures in which infected cattle have grazed 
and scattered their droppings. The worms in the stom- 
ach produce a multitude of eggs of microscopic size, 
which pass out of the body with the feces. 'In warm 
weather, these eggs hatch in a few hours ; if the temper- 
ature remains about freezing point, they soon die. The 
eggs are also destroyed by dryness, but, on the other 
hand, moisture, if the weather is warm, favors their de- 
velopment. The twisted worm measures one-half inch 
to one and one-half inches in length. 

Symptoms. — General weakness, loss of flesh, anemia, 
dullness, capricious appetite, excessive thirst, paleness of 
the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes, 
and dropsical swelling, especially that of the lower jaw. 
Diarrhoea always accompanies this condition and if the 
feces is carefully examined the small worms may be seen 
wriggling about like little snakes, or when the animal 
dies, and the fourth stomach is opened, these worms can 
be seen in large quantities. 

Treatment. — Preventative measures are important, 
as damp, marshy soil favors the developmxcnt of the em- 
bryos. High sloping ground is preferable for pasture. 
If low ground is used it should be properly drained; 
burning over the pasture will destroy most of the young 
worms on the grass and on the ground. Cattle should 
be supplied with water from flowing streams or wells 
and not stagnant ponds. 

Medical Treatment. — Withhold all food for 
twenty-four hours, then administer Oil of Turpentine, 
placing it in an ounce capsule and give with capsule gun. 
Follow in six hours with a physic consisting of Aloin, 
two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in capsule and 
give with capsule gun. When this worm develops in 
calves, give as follows : One dram Turpentine to a calf 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 69 

three months old, four drams to a calf six months old, 
six drams to a yearling. To cattle two years and over, 
give equivalent dose, or an ounce. The physic should be 
reduced in the same proportions as that of Turpentine. 

VERMINOUS BRONCHITIS. 

{Lung Worms) 

Cause. — Due to worm or parasite called Strongylus 
Micrurus, a small thread-like worm two to four inches 
in length, found in the bronchial tubes, a portion of the 
lungs. The life history of this parasite is not known, 
but infection is apparently derived through the medium 
of pastures where infested cattle have grazed. Young 
cattle are more seriously affected than old animals. These 
parasites are especially common in low marshy pastures. 

Symptoms. — This form of bronchitis usually affects 
the entire herd; the animals become poor, unthrifty, 
hacking, coughing, especially at night, and sometimes 
animals actually cough up worms. 

Treatment. — Various treatments have been recom- 
mended for Verminous Bronchitis, or Lung Worm, as 
injecting Turpentine into the windpipe or fumigating 
animals by placing them in a closed shed or barn and 
burning sulphur, compelling the affected animals to 
inhale the fumes. This treatment perhaps is the safest 
and the most effective. A person should remain in the 
enclosed shed and when the fumes become so strong 
that there is danger of suffocation, open the doors and 
windows. This treatment should be repeated every week 
until coughing ceases. 

WARBLES OR GRUBS. 

Cause. — By the heel-fly or warble-fly. They de- 
posit their eggs on the legs of cattle during the fall. The 
animal, licking the parts, takes the eggs into its mouth. 
These eggs gradually migrate into the gullet, where they 



70 DISEASES OF CATTLE 

hatch and burrow through the tissues, and in the early 
spring will be found in the region of the back in the form 
of small lumps under the skin. 

Symptoms. — Warbles are frequently seen under the 
skin in the region of the back and over the loins, and 
are very tender to the touch. When they are fully de- 
veloped they work their way through the skin, which 
usually occurs in the early part of the summer. Ex- 
amine your cattle in the winter and spring for the pres- 
ence of grubs. They can be easily found by running 
the hand over the loins, by abrupt swellings or bunches 
on the skin. Pressure on the swelling will perhaps cause 
the grubs to pop out. 

Treatment. — Remove the grubs by making a small 
incision with a clean, sharp knife in the center of the 
swelling. Then press them out and into each cavity 
from which the grub has been extracted, or squeezed 
out, should be injected a five per cent solution of Carbol- 
ized Sweet Oil to prevent any further development of 
flies or grubs. Cattle sprayed with fly repellants during 
the spring and summer are very seldom bothered with 
warbles or grubs. However, this is not practical in range 
cattle; dipping instead should be resorted to, and it is 
surprising what results will be derived from fly repel- 
lants in a year or two. They will practically exterminate 
the pest, and consequently the cattle are thrifty and look 
much better. 

WARTS. 

Cause. — Warts may appear on various parts of the 
body, and are due to an abnormal growth of cells grow- 
ing upon the outer surface of healthy skin, or they may 
grow upon skin that is deprived of the proper blood 
supply. 

Treatment. — If the wart is located where there is 
hair surrounding it, cut away the hair, then wash the 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 71 

wart and surrounding parts with a five per cent solution 
of Carbolic Acid and clip the wart off with a sharp pair 
of scissors or knife. After the wart is removed, cau- 
terize the cut surface with a hot iron. Caustic Potash 
or Silver Nitrate should be applied two or three times 
at the intervals of two or three days to insure the entire 
extermination of the wart. This treatment applies to all 
classes of warts located in various places. 

WHITES. 
(Leucorrhea) 

Cause. — Continual chronic inflammation of the 
womb, or due to irritations from a retained afterbirth. 
Il'n juries or wounds inflicted by hands or instruments in 
difficult calving, diseases of the ovaries, etc. 

Symptoms. — A glarish, white discharge from the 
womb. When cow is lying down it flows more abundant- 
ly, soiling the tail, etc. The general health may not be 
much affected at first, but if the discharge continues and 
is putrid, the health fails, the milk shrinks, and there is a 
great loss of flesh. In some cases heat is more frequent 
or intense than natural, but the animal rarely conceives 
when served, and if she does, is likely to abort. 

Treatment. — Feed nitrogenous food. Wash the 
womb out with a solution consisting of five grains of 
Permanganate of Potash to one quart of water. This 
should be repeated once or twice a day. If the animal is 
constipated, give two drams of Aloin, three drams of 
Ginger. Place in gelatin capsule and give with capsule 
gun. Also place Potassium Iodide one dram, Hyposul- 
phite of Soda one ounce in the drinking water two or 
three times a day. This not only diminishes the dis- 
charge, but has a good effect on the blood, particularly 
where there is more or less decomposition of the flesh. 



72 DISEASES OF CATTLE 



WOLF IN THE TAIL. 

This condition is imaginary, although the muscles of 
the tail relax or soften, especially those of its extremity, 
due to ill health; consequently the condition of the cow 
should be treated, and not the tail. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause. Perhaps the ani- 
mal has indigestion, or a cold, etc. Determine the mal- 
ady by careful examination and treat the disease under 
its special heading. 

It has been the custom among the so-called cow doc- 
tors to split the tail with a sharp knife, then fill the 
wound with salt and pepper and bandage with a cloth. 
This is a fallacy, and should not be practiced. 



INDEX 



Abdominal Hernia 62 

Abortion, Contagious 26 

Abortion (non-contagious)... 8 

Abortion, Infectious 26 

Abscesses 7 

Absence of Milk 64 

Actinomycosis 50 

Acute Cough 28 

Afterbirth, Retained 58 

Amourosis of the Eye 9 

Anthrax 9 

Apoplexy, Parturent 54 

Ascities 32 

Bacterial Dysentery 24 

Bag Inflammation 43 

Barrenness 10 

Beef, Measly 54 

Big Head 50 

Black Leg 11 

Black Quarter 11 

Bleeding 12 

Bloating 12 

Blood Poison 14 

Blood Suckers 50 

Bloody Flux 15 

Bloody Milk 16 

Blue Milk 16 

Brain Congestion 56 

Bronchitis 17 

Bronchitis, Verminous 69 

Calf Cholera 17 

Calf Scours 17 

Calving 18 

Casting the Withers 20 

Catarrh 22 

Cataract of the Eye 21 

Chaoned Teats 23 

Choking 23 

Cholera, Calf 17 

Chronic Cough 28 

Chronic Dysentery 24 

Congestion of the Brain ... 56 

Congestion of the Lungs.... 25 
Congestion of the Spinal 

Cord 56 

Congestion of the Udder.... 40 

Conjunctivitis 44 

Colic 25 

Contagious Abortion 26 

Cough, Acute 28 

Cough, Chronic 28 

Cowpox 29 



Cud, Loss of 53 

Dehorning 31 

Diarrhoea 30 

Dropsy 32 

Dysentery 15 

Dysentery, Bacterial 24 

Dysentery, Chronic 24 

Eczema 32 

Eczema, Epizootic 35 

Epizootica Eczema 35 

Ergot Poison 33 

Ergotism 33 

Esophagus Obstruction 23 

Eversion of the Womb 20 

Eye Amourosis 9 

Eye Cataract 21 

Eye Inflammation 44 

Eyelid Laceration 49 

Eye Scum 62 

Failure to Breed 10 

Fluke, Liver 34 

Fluke, Lung 34 

Foot and Mouth Disease 35 

Foot Rot 38 

Foul in Foot 38 

Founder 39 

Garget 40 

Grubs 69 

Hard Milkers 41 

Heart Sack Inflammation... 45 

Hematuria 57 

Hemorrhage 12 

Hernia, Abdominal 62 

Hollow Horn 41 

Horn, Hollow 41 

Indigestion 42 

Infectious Abortion 26 

Infectious Aphtha 35 

Inflammation of the Bag.... 43 
Inflammation of the Eye.... 44 
Inflammation of the Heart 

Sack 45 

Inflammation of the Kidneys 45 
Inflammation of the Penis.. 46 
Inflammation of the Womb. 47 

John's Disease 24 

Joint 111 48 

Kidney Inflammation 45 

Laceration of the Eyelids... 49 

Laminitis 39 

Laryngitis 63 

Leeches 50 



Leucorrhea ' 1 

Loss of Cud 53 

Liver Fluke 34 

Lumpy Jaw.. 50 

Lung Congestion 25 

Lung Fever 52 

Lung Fluke 34 

Lung Worms 69 

Mammitis, Simple 43 

Mange 53 

Measly Beef 54 

Milk Fever 54 

Milk Suppression 64 

Milk, Stringy 64 

Navel 111 48 

Normal Calving 19 

Obstruction of the Esophagus 23 

Paralysis 56 

Parturent Apoplexy 54 

Penis Inflammation 46 

Pericarditis 45 

Pharyngitis 63 

Pneumonia 52 

Poison. Ergot 33 

Pyemia 14 

Red Water 57 

Retained Afterbirth 58 

Rheumatism 59 

Ringworm 60 

Round Worm 61 

Rupture 62 

Scabies 53 

Scours in the Calf 17 



Scours, White 17 

Scum Over the Eye 62 

Septicemia 14 

Simple Mammitis 43 

Sore Throat 63 

Spinal Cord Congestion 56 

Stomach Worm 68 

Stringy Milk 64 

Suppression of Milk 64 

Symptomatic Anthrax 11 

Tapeworm 65 

Teats, Chapped 23 

Texas Fever 65 

Ticks 66 

Tuberculosis 66 

Twisted Stomach Worm.... 68 

Udder Congestion 40 

Umbilical Pyemia 48 

Umbilical Septicemia 48 

Variola 29 

W^arbles 69 

Warts 70 

Verminous Bronchitis 69 

Whites 71 

White Scours 17 

Wolf in the Tail 72 

Womb Eversion 20 

Womb Inflammation 47 

Wooden Tongue 50 

Worm, Round 61 

Worm, Stomach 68 

Worm, Tape 65 

Worms, Lung 69 



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002 993 851 94 



